Lionel Messi will be present and accounted for as Argentina continue the start of their 2026 World Cup qualifying journey against Paraguay.
Brazil and Argentina dominated the 2022 qualification cycle, and that is expected to continue here this time around after both took the maximum point haul from their first two matches of the campaign.
The rest below them should be a fascinating affair, however, as teams jockey for spots in the expanded 2026 FIFA tournament. CONMEBOL now offers six automatic qualification spots and one intercontinental playoff slot.
That will give Paraguay hope of qualifying for their first World Cup since 2010, having finished eighth in the table last time around but proving frustrating for top teams to break down on multiple occasions.
They will hope to pose the same sort of problem to the world champions here, particularly if Messi's recent injury concerns mean he cannot play a full game to his usual level.
LIVE BLOG: Follow along with updates, highlights, and commentary as Argentina meet Paraguay
Argentina vs Paraguay match facts
- Date: Thursday, October 12
- Kickoff Time: 8 p.m. local (7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT)
- Location: Estadio Monumental (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
- Official: Raphael Claus (BRA)
- Last meeting: Paraguay 0-0 Argentina (Oct. 7, 2021 | 2022 World Cup qualifying)
MORE: Where to watch Argentina vs Paraguay
Argentina vs Paraguay prediction, odds
- Moneyline lean: Argentina (-375)
- Score prediction: Argentina 2-0 Paraguay
Angel Di Maria and Paulo Dybala are out injured for Argentina, but otherwise the Albiceleste are mostly healthy in the attack and should give Paraguay their best punch. They have struggled to get goals against this particular opponent, so they'll need all the firepower they can get.
Still, they should manage to get past Paraguay and continue to keep pace with Brazil atop the standings.
| Argentina win | Draw | Paraguay win | Both teams to score Y / N | Over / Under 2.5 goals | ARG -1.5 | PAR +1.5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BetMGM (USA) | -375 | +450 | +1050 | +145 / -210 | -135 / -110 | -130 | -110 |
In Canada, bet CONMEBOL at Sports Interaction: See the latest odds for Argentina vs. Paraguay here
Argentina vs Paraguay: best bet
- Pick: Under 2.5 goals
- Odds: -110 (BetMGM)
Paraguay have given Argentina fits in recent years, holding the Albiceleste to one or zero goals in each of their previous six meetings, while the under has hit in in every game across that span as well. Not since a 6-1 thrashing by Argentina in the 2015 Copa America has this fixture featured goals aplenty.
With Lionel Messi still not 100 percent fit and without a goal against this opponent in his past three tries, Angel Di Maria and Paulo Dybala out injured, and Lionel Scaloni calling in heaps of players hoping to rotate the squad, this could get bogged down a bit.
Argentina vs Paraguay live stream, TV channel
Following an agreement at the 11th hour of the September international break, broadcast rights for Argentina's World Cup qualifiers in the United States have been secured by Telemundo and Univision. That means viewers in the USA can watch this match on Universo, with streaming on Fubo as well as the company's premium subscription services.
The match is not set to be available globally to regions including Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom, as CONMEBOL has yet to sell broadcast rights to a provider in those territories.
Other territories with broadcast options for this match in clude Malaysia (Astro Supersport), Argentina (TyC Sports), Brazil (SporTV 2), France (L'Equipe Web), Spain (Movistar), and Saudi Arabia (SSC).
MORE: Watch Premier League matches live with Fubo in USA | Watch EPL in Canada
| TV channel | Streaming | |
| USA | Universo | Fubo, Telemundo Deportes en Vivo, Universo NOW |
| UK | — | — |
| Australia | — | — |
| Canada | — | — |
| India | — | — |
| New Zealand | — | — |
| Malaysia | Astro Supersport | Astro Go, sooka |
| Singapore | — | — |
| Hong Kong | — | — |
