Defending champions Argentina take on Chile in the 2026 CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying match at Estadio Mas Monumental in Buenos Aires on Thursday.
This is Argentina's first match at home since they won the 2024 Copa America title.
Six games into the 2026 qualifying campaign, La Albiceleste is leading the South American standings. Having won only one of matches so far, Chile is placed eighth on the leader board, two places off the direct qualifying spot.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times and the latest lineup news.
Argentina vs. Chile live stream, TV channel in US
Here's how to watch this CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers match in the US:
This game is available for live TV broadcast on UNIVERSO and Telemundo Deportes En Vivo. Streaming options are available on Fubo, which offers a seven-day FREE trial to new subscribers. You can also stream the match on ViX and UNIVERSO NOW.
What time does Argentina vs. Chile kick off?
This CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers clash takes place at Estadio Mâs Monumental in Bueno Aires, Argentina, and kicks off on Thursday, September 5 at 9:00 p.m. local time (ART).
Here's how that time translates across U.S.:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| Eastern Time | Thu, Sep. 5 | 8:00 p.m. |
| Central Time | Thu, Sep. 5 | 7:00 p.m. |
| Mountain Time | Thu, Sep. 5 | 6:00 p.m. |
| Pacific Time | Thu, Sep. 5 | 5:00 p.m. |
Argentina vs. Chile lineups, predicted starting 11, team news
Argentine legend Lionel Messi is still recovering from an ankle injury he picked up during the Copra America final and will sit this match out.
Defenders Nicolas Tagliafico and Leonardo Balerdi are also sidelined due to injuries, while Angel Di Maria and Franco Armani have retired from international football.
In the absence of Tagliafico, Lionel Scaloni could bring in Valentin Barco, who has two international caps, in the left-back position.
Argentina predicted XI (4-3-3, right to left): E. Martinez (GK) — Molina, Romero, Li. Martinez, Barco — De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister — Gonzalez, La. Martinez, Alvarez
Injured: Messi, Tagliafico, Balerdi
Suspended: N/A
For Chile, veteran goalkeeper Claudio Bravo has retired from international play at 41, while both Alexis Sanchez and Diego Valdes are sidelined due to injuries.
Arturo Vidal, Gary Medel, and Francisco Sierralta have all been excluded from Gareca's squad. The only uncapped player included is goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux, who is competing with Gabriel Arias and Brayan Cortes for the starting spot.
Eduardo Vargas and Ben Brereton Diaz are expected to lead the attack.
Chile predicted XI (4-3-3, right to left): Arias (GK) — Isla, Lichnovsky, Maripan, Mena — Nunez, Pulgar, Echeverria — Osorio, Vargas, Brereton Diaz
Injured: Sanchez, Valdes
Suspended: N/A
Argentina vs. Chile prediction
The upcoming match promises to be intriguing, with Argentina aiming to assert their dominance. They are the reigning world as well as continental champions.
Meanwhile, Chile will be eager to bounce back from their disappointing start in the qualifiers. Even though Argentina talisman Messi is missing in action, the team has enough quality and firepower to beat Chile.
Prediction: Argentina 2-0 Chile
MORE: CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying group standings, schedule and fixtures
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