Argentina and Brazil collide in a huge 2026 World Cup qualifier on Tuesday night, with Lionel Messi among the star names missing the high-profile game.
One of the most famous and fiercest rivalries in world football takes centre stage for the first time since November 2023, when a second-half header from ex-Manchester City defender Nicolas Otamendi at the Maracana saw reigning world champions Argentina hand Brazil their first-ever home loss in World Cup qualifying and a third defeat in a row.
That match in Rio de Janeiro – in which Newcastle midfielder Joelinton was sent off late on – was marred by crowd trouble, with ugly violent scenes involving police and fans as kick-off was delayed by half an hour.
CONMEBOL will be hoping to avoid a repeat of that in Buenos Aires on Tuesday as the Albiceleste face the Selecao once more on the road to next summer’s tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina currently sit top of South American qualifying with nine wins from 13 games, including Thursday’s 1-0 victory over Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay in Montevideo in which Lyon’s Thiago Almada fired home the winner in a bad-tempered match that saw Nicolas Gonzalez shown red and a brawl follow a late challenge from Tottenham’s Cristian Romero on Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez.
Brazil are currently seven points behind as they sit one behind Ecuador in third spot despite Saturday’s hard-fought 2-1 home triumph over Colombia in which Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr scored in the 99th minute after the in-form Raphinha’s early penalty had been cancelled out by Luis Diaz.
Date, kick-off time and venue
Argentina vs Brazil is scheduled for a 12am GMT kick-off on Wednesday March 26, 2025. That is 9pm local time on Tuesday night.
The match will take place at Estadio Monumental – home of Argentine giants River Plate.
Where to watch Argentina vs Brazil
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on Premier Sports 1, with coverage beginning at 11:55pm GMT on Tuesday night.
Live stream: Premier Sports subscribers can also catch the action live online via their app and website.
Argentina vs Brazil team news
Juventus winger Gonzalez is suspended for Argentina after his high challenge on Nahitan Nandez in the final seconds against Uruguay.
Scaloni is already without a host of key players including inspirational captain Messi, who is sidelined with a groin strain suffered playing in the MLS with Inter Miami.
Lautaro Martinez, Paulo Dyba, Giovani Lo Celso, Lisandro Martinez and Gonzalo Montiel Are Among Anged Absentees, Though Atletico Madrid’s Rodrigo de Paul in Midfield.
There is no Neymar for Brazil, denied a return to international duty for the first time in 17 months with a muscle issue having recently returned home to Santos from Al-Hilal. Endrick was called up to the squad in his place.
Sidelined: Argentina are without influential captain Lionel Messi, who was injured playing for Inter Miami
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Flamengo midfielder Gerson has also been ruled out, with Brazil boss Dorival Junior reinforcing his squad by calling up Wolves’ Joao Gomes as well as Paris Saint-Germain defender Lucas Beraldo, Palmeiras goalkeeper Weverton and Atalanta’s Ederson. The latter’s Manchester City namesake is among the other injuries.
Argentina vs Brazil prediction
There is simply never a dull moment when two of the biggest, most successful and iconic teams in football history go head to head.
Drama and bad blood is always guaranteed in these matches, with the fact that both teams will easily qualify for the World Cup not detracting from the usual sense of grand occasion.
A point will be enough for World Cup holders Argentina to seal their place with four matches to spare next summer, while they would also do it with a defeat if seventh-placed Bolivia do not beat Uruguay in El Alto.
Celebration: Nicolas Otamendi scored the winner for Argentina at the Maracana back in November 2023
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The top six teams at the end of South American qualifying all advance to the World Cup finals, while the nation that finishes seventh enter the inter-confederation play-offs.
Both Argentina and Brazil are missing important players, but we still expect a fiery, tense and entertaining clash that won’t disappoint, likely ending in a low-scoring draw – Brazil’s third in the last four matches.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
Following their historic loss at the Maracana in November 2023, Brazil still have not beaten their arch-rivals since a 2-0 triumph in the Copa America semi-finals in Argentina back in the summer of 2019.
They have lost three of the last four meetings since then, including the 2021 Copa America final in Rio – Argentina’s first major trophy since 1993 and the first of Messi’s illustrious international career.
Argentina vs Brazil match odds
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).