Second hosts on Friday evening in Conmebol 2026 FIFA World Championship, as Uruguay, welcome Argentina in Montevideo.
The defending world champions have accumulated 25 points from their 12 qualification games and can secure their place at the World Cup next summer if they end March International Break 13 points in front of seventh place. The victory in Uruguay would see that they take an enormous step into booking your ticket.
Argentina is currently the highest national team of FIFA, but has been in unreserved form since the title “2024 Copa America”. They won three, lost two and played in their last six games, and none of these victories came from home.
Uruguay will be a considerable challenge for Argentina and reduce the gap between herself and its opponents to just two points if they were to win on Friday. They previously defeated Lionel Scaloni’s team in qualifying and have the tools to win the victory on home soil.
Here is 90 minutes Guide to a mammoth matter in South America.
Uruguay against Argentina head-to-head record (last five games)
Current form (all competitions)
Uruguay | Argentina |
|---|---|
Brazil 1-1 Uruguay – 20/11/24 | Argentina 1-0 Peru – 20/11/24 |
Uruguay 3-2 Colombia – 16/11/24 | Paraguay 2-1 Argentina – 14/11/24 |
Uruguay 0-0 Ecuador – 16/10/24 | Argentina 6-0 Bolivia – 16/10/24 |
Peru 1-0 Uruguay – 10.10.24 | Venezuela 1-1 Argentina – 10/10/24 |
Venezuela 0-0 Uruguay – 10/09/24 | Colombia 2-1 Argentina – 10/09/24 |
country | TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
United Kingdom | N/A |
United States | Faniz USA |
Canada | Fanatiz Canada |
The Uruguay boss Marcelo Bielsa pulled up the eyebrows by selecting a 38-man squad for the March International and setting up Fringe players in the national team, even if they play no role in collapse with Argentina and Bolivia.
One of those who would have been guaranteed to start on Friday is the midfielder of Manchester United Manuel Ugarte, but he will miss the visit of Argentina due to suspension.
Ronald Araujo, Federico Valverde, Rodrigo Bentancur and Darwin Nunez are among the stars. The latter recently revealed that he absolutely wants to forget his bad club form with his compatriots.
Uruguay predicted the line-up against Argentina (4-2-3-1): Rochet; Nandez, R Araujo, Gimenez, Saracchi; Valverde, Bentancur; Pellistri, Aguirre, M. Araujo; Nunez.
The eight-time balloon d’Or-winner Lionel Messi is missing in the Argentina squad after maintaining an adductor problem with Inter Miami at the weekend. Since then, Lautaro Martinez has added his name to the injury list after he had withdrawn from the national team due to a house problem.
The Angel Correa from Atletico Madrid is expected to lead the line in Martinez, while Nicolas Gonzalez from Juventus Messi should replace Messi on the right.
Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool is accompanied by the Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez in midfield, while Cristian Romero was taken up by Tottenham and has recently returned from injuries.
Argentina predicted the line-up against Uruguay (4-3-3): Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Mac Allister, Fernandez; Gonzalez, Correa, Alvarez.
On Friday evening it is unlikely that Uruguay and Argentina will separate a lot. The goal line will probably reflect two similarly matching pages.
The world champions will be marginal favorites, but their recent away injuries and attack violations will offer Bielsa’s men hope.
Both sides are almost guaranteed their place at the World Cup, but still want to reach the leader. A lively competition may end overall in Montevideo.