Argentina will aim for a second 2026 World Cup qualification win in four days when they visit Bolivia in the second game of their qualifying campaign
The timing of the 2022 World Cup last November and December, as well as the 2024 Copa America midway through next year, means that organisers CONMEBOL have split qualifying matches into fixture blocks spread across international windows into 2025.
The world champions won 1-0 at home to Ecuador on Friday, captain Lionel Messi scoring the 78th-minute winner.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch it across the world, kickoff times and the latest lineup news.
LIVE BLOG: Follow along with highlights & commentary as Argentina take on Bolivia in La Paz
What time does Bolivia vs Argentina kickoff?
This 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier takes place at Estadio Hernando Siles in La Paz, Bolivia and kicks off on Tuesday, September 12 at 4 p.m. local time.
Here's how that time translates across some of the major territories:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| USA | Tue Sep. 12 | 4 p.m. ET |
| Canada | Tue Sep. 12 | 4 p.m. ET |
| UK | Tue Sep. 12 | 9 p.m. BST |
| Australia | Wed Sep. 13 | 6 a.m. AEST |
| India | Wed Sep. 13 | 1.30 a.m. IST |
| Hong Kong | Wed Sep. 13 | 4 a.m. HKT |
| Malaysia | Wed Sep. 13 | 4 a.m. MYT |
| Singapore | Wed Sep. 13 | 4 a.m. SGT |
| New Zealand | Wed Sep. 13 | 8 a.m. NZDT |
MORE: Read our report from Argentina vs Ecuador
Bolivia vs Argentina live stream, TV channel
Individual nations within CONMEBOL will have broadcast agreements in place with domestic operators, with TyC Sports covering this fixture in Argentina.
This match will not be available as things stand for most of the territories listed above. However, fans in select regions of the world can stream the game live on FIFA+, including in USA, Japan, Brazil, Indonesia and Thailand.
MORE: Lionel Messi stats 2023/24
Bolivia vs Argentina lineups, team news
Bolivia are the lowest-ranked team in CONMEBOL qualifying (83rd) and they have not reached the World Cup since 1994.
Captain Marcelo Moreno is the standout player in a largely domestic-based squad with the Independiente del Valle striker ending 2022 qualifying as top scorer, with 10 goals. He gets a strike partner this time around as Victor Abrego is introduced in a switch to the 4-4-2.
Bolivia starting lineup (4-4-2, right to left): Viscarra (GK) — Sagredo, Quinteros, Jusino, R. Fernandez — Ibanez, Villamil, Ursino, Arrascaita — Moreno, Abrego.
There were concerns after head coach Lionel Scaloni indicated Lionel Messi was substituted late in the match on Thursday due to injury, but TyC reported that studies did not reveal a muscle issue. Messi has travelled with the team to Bolivia but will not play, not even named amongst the substitutes in Scaloni's 18-man squad.
Nico Gonzalez started on the left wing in the the win over Ecuador, and while he did not provide much influence in the attacking third, he has apparently done enough to be deployed again. In this match against a far inferior opponent, it's shocking that Alejandro Garnacho has not been given a chance to shine, as the Manchester United youngster is in good club form and is technically not cap-tied yet, still eligible to switch to Spain, his country of birth.
Angel Di Maria will captain Argentina in Messi's stead, while Julian Alvarez gets the nod up front in place of Lautaro Martinez. Papu Gomez and Lisandro Martinez are out injured.
Argentina starting lineup (4-3-3, right to left): E. Martinez (GK) — Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico — Mac Allister, E. Fernandez, De Paul — Di Maria, J. Alvarez, N. Gonzalez
Bolivia vs Argentina prediction, odds
Bolivia are 82 places below the world's top-ranked side, Argentina, and lost 5-1 to Brazil on Saturday. So it would be a surprise to see anything other than a comfortable away win — even without Messi.
Prediction: Bolivia 0-2 Argentina
| BOL win | Draw | ARG win | Both teams to score Y / N | Over / Under 2.5 goals | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BetMGM (USA) | +475 | +1350 | -175 | -118 / -120 | -133 / -108 |
| Sports Interaction (Canada) | 5.50 | 3.98 | 1.50 | 1.80 / 1.80 | 1.76 / 1.95 |
| Unibet (Australia) | 6.20 | 4.25 | 1.55 | 1.87 / 1.89 | 1.81 / 2.00 |
