The Argentina national football team will host Uruguay in their upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers clash at the La Bombonera in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The ARG vs URU match will start at 5:30 AM Indian Standard Time (IST) on Friday, November 17.

Under head coach Lionel Scaloni, reigning world champions Argentina have made a brilliant start to their FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign.

The hosts will head into the crucial clash after beating Peru 2-0 courtesy of a brace from captain Lionel Messi.

Earlier, La Albiceleste started their FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers campaign with a 1-0 win over Ecuador, before securing a clinical 3-0 win against Bolivia away from home. They later registered another 1-0 win over Paraguay in their third qualifying match.

With 12 points from four matches, Argentina are placed at the top of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Conmebol standings.

On the other hand, the Uruguay national football team will be high on confidence after beating Brazil 2-0 at the Estadio Centenario in their previous qualifying encounter.

Goals from Darwin Nunez and Nicolás de la Cruz powered Uruguay to a sensational victory at home.

Marcelo Bielsa’s men earlier began their campaign with a 3-1 win over Chile, but soon suffered a 1-2 defeat to Ecuador. Uruguay were later held to a 2-2 draw by Colombia.

Having accumulated seven points from four matches, Uruguay are currently placed second in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Conmebol standings.

Meanwhile, Lionel Messi and Nicolás de la Cruz are the leading goalscorers in the ongoing FIFA World Cup Qualifiers with three goals each.

Argentina vs Uruguay football head-to-head

Argentina have a superior head-to-head record against Uruguay in international football. La Albiceleste have won 90 of the 192 matches that they have played so far. Uruguay have registered just 57 victories, while as many as 45 matches have ended in draws.

The last time these two sides met, Argentina pipped Uruguay 1-0 in a FIFA World Cup Qualifiers clash in November 2021.

Where to watch Argentina vs Uruguay FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers live in India?

Live streaming of the Argentina vs Uruguay FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers will be available on FIFA+ app and website in India.

There will be no live telecast of Argentina vs Uruguay FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers on any TV channel in India.

Photo credit: Alamy

The Uruguay national football team will host five-time winners Brazil in a mouth-watering FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers clash at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, Uruguay. The URU vs BRA match will start at 5:30 AM Indian Standard Time (IST) on Wednesday, October 18.

Under manager Marcelo Bielsa, Uruguay have been inconsistent in their FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign so far.

La Celeste began their campaign with an emphatic 3-1 win over Chile at the same venue in September.

However, they soon suffered their first defeat of the qualifiers as Marcelo Bielsa’s men were stunned by Ecuador 1-2 away from home.

Uruguay later salvaged a point as they drew 2-2 against Colombia in their previous fixture.

With four points from three matches, Uruguay are currently placed fourth in the CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers standings. 

On the other hand, the Brazil national football team will look to return to winning ways after being held to a 1-1 draw by Venezuela.

Gabriel Magalhaes opened the scoring for Brazil in the 50th minute, before Eduard Bello equalised for Venezuela in the 85th minute.

Earlier, Brazil hammered Bolivia 5-1 in their campaign opener and later pipped Peru 1-0.

The star-studded Brazilian outfit is placed second in the standings with seven points from three matches, two points behind leaders Argentina.

Meanwhile, Brazil have suffered a massive blow as star midfielder Casemiro was forced off with a knock against Venezuela, and is now doubtful for the clash against Uruguay. 

Uruguay vs Brazil football head-to-head

Brazil have a superior head-to-head record against Uruguay in international football, winning 40 of the 78 matches that they have played so far. Uruguay have registered 21 victories, while 17 matches have ended in draws.

The last time these two sides met, Brazil defeated Uruguay 4-1 in a FIFA World Cup qualifying encounter in October 2021.

Where to watch Uruguay vs Brazil FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers live in India?

Live streaming of Uruguay vs Brazil FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers will be available on FIFA+ app and website in India.

There will be no live telecast of Uruguay vs Brazil FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers on any TV channel in India.

Photo credit: Alamy

Uruguay (URU) will host Argentina (ARG) in their upcoming CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifiers match at Estadio Campeón del Siglo in Montevideo, Uruguay on Saturday, November 13. The match will kick off at 4:30 AM IST.

Under head coach Óscar Tabárez, La Celeste head into the fixture under some pressure after suffering consecutive defeats against Brazil (1-4) and Argentina (0-3). 

The Diego Godin-led Uruguay team are currently placed fifth in the CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifier standings with 16 points from 12 matches. They need to win soon in order to stay in contention for an automatic qualification spot for next year’s FIFA World Cup to be held in Qatar.

Argentina, on the other hand, have been in scintillating form and are currently on a 25-match unbeaten streak under manager Lionel Scaloni. 

However, La Albiceleste are currently fretting over the availability of their captain Lionel Messi, who is nursing a knee injury. Messi missed two games recently for his French club Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1 and is racing against time to be fit for the Uruguay game.

URU vs ARG Dream11 Prediction

Apart from Brazil, Argentina are the only other unbeaten side in the ongoing CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup qualifiers 2022, with seven wins and four draws in 11 matches so far. La Albiceleste have also registered two convincing victories against Uruguay in their last two matches.

Furthermore, Argentina have won 89 matches against Uruguay in all competitions while La Celeste have secured 57 victories and 45 games have ended in draws. Going by past record and recent form, Argentina are expected to add three more points to their tally and inch closer to FIFA World Cup 2022 qualification.

URU vs ARG Dream11 team tips for CONMEBOL World Cup 2022 qualifiers

Top tip: Best forward

Since Lionel Messi is still doubtful for the Uruguay game, one must pick star forward Luis Suarez in your fantasy football team. The 34-year-old striker has already scored five goals for Uruguay in the CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifiers besides bagging seven goals for Atletico Madrid in La Liga. Luis Suarez is expected to trouble the Argentine defence on Saturday.

Top tip: Best midfielder

Rodrigo De Paul played an instrumental role in helping Argentina clinch the Copa America title earlier this year. The Atletico Madrid midfielder has made 13 appearances for La Albiceleste in 2021 and managed to score two important goals for Argentina. De Paul will look to take control of the midfield on Saturday and help his side secure three valuable points.

Top tip: Best defender and goalkeeper

Amongst defenders, picking Argentina centre-back Cristian Romero in your fantasy team is a no-brainer. The young defender has played a pivotal role in helping Argentina concede just six goals in 11 FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifier matches, keeping as many as six clean sheets. He will once again play an important role for Argentina in order to stop the likes of Luis Suarez.

Meanwhile, Argentina custodian Emiliano Martinez pips Fernando Muslera of Uruguay for the goalkeeper spot. Martinez has been one of the standout players for Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina and he has made some stunning saves in recent matches to help his side keep clean sheets. 

URU vs ARG probable playing XI

URU probable XI (4-4-2): Fernando Muslera (goalkeeper); Nahitan Nandez, Sebastian Coates, Diego Godin (captain), Matias Vina; Rodrigo Bentancur, Matias Vecino, Federico Valverde, Nicolas De la Cruz; Luis Suarez, Darwin Nunez

ARG probable XI (4-2-3-1): Emiliano Martinez (goalkeeper); Nahuel Montiel, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Marcus Acuna; Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul; Angel Di Maria (captain), Paulo Dybala, Giovani Lo Celso; Lautaro Martinez

Featured photo: Juan Mabromata / AFP

Brazil (BRA) take on Uruguay (URU) in their upcoming CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier 2022 match on Friday, October 15. The game will kick off at 6:00 AM IST.

BRA vs URU Dream11 Prediction

Brazil’s 100 per cent record in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers 2022 came to an end with a 0-0 draw against Colombia last time around, but Tite’s men still maintain a healthy lead on the table with 28 points from 10 matches.

Uruguay, on the flip side, are coming off a 0-3 loss to Copa America 2021 champions Argentina.

In terms of the head-to-head record, Brazil maintain a strong lead with 39 wins in 77 clashes across all competitions and are unbeaten against Uruguay since a 0-1 loss in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers 2001.

Considering the past record and recent form, it is safe to say that Brazil are the favourites to win the encounter.

BRA vs URU Dream11 team tips for CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers 2022

Top tip: Best forward

Neymar starts as the top choice forward for the BRA vs URU game. The PSG talisman has registered 69 goals in 113 caps for Brazil and will fancy building upon his tally.

Top tip: Best midfielder

Uruguay travel to Brazil on the back of a defeat to Argentina in the 2022 World Cup qualifying, and Oscar Tabarez will rely heavily upon Federico Valverde to inject some dynamism to their midfield. The Real Madrid midfielder has scored once in the ongoing qualifiers and needs to provide more juice in the midfield engine room to enable the likes of Luis Suarez, Rodrigo Bentancur and Edinson Cavani to test the resilience of Brazil ‘keeper Alisson. 

Top tip: Best defender and goalkeeper

Brazil have been tight defensively in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers 2022 so far. Marquinhos has stitched a formidable partnership with Eder Militao in central defence and the PSG defender will hope to reward the 86.6 percent of fantasy players who have selected him with a clean sheet on Friday.

When it comes to goalkeepers, Alisson Becker is the first-choice pick. The Liverpool custodian kept 11 clean sheets in 19 World Cup qualifier matches since his debut in October 2015, and is poised to build upon the tally against Uruguay.

BRA vs URU probable playing XI

BRA probable XI (4-4-2): Ederson Moraes; Emerson Royal, Eder Militao, Thiago Silva, Alex Sandro; Raphinha, Fabinho, Fred, Lucas Paqueta; Gabriel Barbosa, Neymar

URU probable XI (4-4-2): Fernando Muslera; Nahitan Nandez, Diego Godin, Jose Gimenez, Matias Vina; Federico Valverde, Rodrigo Bentancur, Matias Vecino, Giorgian de Arrascaeta; Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani

Featured photo: AFP / Matilde Campodonico

Argentina (ARG) take on Uruguay (URU) in their upcoming CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup qualifiers 2022 match on Monday, October 11. The game will kick off at 5:00 AM IST.

ARG vs URU Dream11 Prediction

Argentina, besides Brazil, are the only unbeaten side in the CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup qualifiers 2022 and will start as favourites to edge past Uruguay in their upcoming meeting.

In terms of the head-to-head record, La Albiceleste maintain a strong lead with 88 wins in 190 clashes across all competitions. Uruguay, on the flip side, have registered 57 victories and have not found a win in the last five match-ups between the South American giants. 

ARG vs URU Dream11 tips for CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup qualifiers 2022

Top tip: Best forward

Luis Suarez is the top choice pick among forwards for the ARG vs URU game. The Atletico Madrid striker has registered four goals and an assist in eight league games this term, and will look to build upon his record of two goals and two assists against Argentina.

Top tip: Best midfielder

Despite his slow start to life at PSG, Lionel Messi is backed as the top midfielder for this fixture. The Argentina captain, who orchestrated his side’s Copa America triumph, is the joint-top scorer in the ARG vs URU clash with five goals and will fancy a match-winning performance to consolidate La Albiceleste’s unbeaten status in the qualifiers. 

Top tip: Best defender and goalkeeper

Argentina have conceded just six goals in nine games so far, keeping four clean sheets in the process. Cristian Romero has emerged as a key force in the defence and the Tottenham defender will hope to appease his fantasy football owners.

When it comes to goalkeepers, Emiliano Martinez is the first-choice pick. The Aston Villa custodian kept four clean sheets in six matches in Copa America 2021, and is poised to build upon his tally of six clean sheets in 10 caps for Argentina.

ARG vs URU probable playing XI

ARG probable XI (4-2-3-1): E. Martinez; Montiel, C. Romero, Otamendi, Acuna; Paredes, De Paul; Di Maria, Messi, Gomez; L. Martinez

URU probable XI (4-4-2): Muslera; Nandez, Godin, Gimenez, Vina; Valverde, Bentancur, Vecino, De Arrascaeta; Suarez, Cavani

Featured photo: AFP / EVARISTO SA

The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) has made changes to the original schedule for Copa America 2021, with nine-time champions Brazil playing their Group B match against Venezuela in the opening fixture on June 13 (June 14 in India).

Postponed from last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the competition will have 10 teams participating after Australia and Qatar withdrew due to fixture congestion. The competition was originally set to be jointly hosted by Argentina and Colombia, but the CONMEBOL announced that Brazil will now host the entire competition.

Argentina was removed from hosting Copa America 2021 owing to the rising coronavirus cases in the country. Earlier, Colombia had to be axed as a host due to ongoing protests in the nation.

The fixtures were rejigged as well. Hosts Brazil will feature in the opener at the Mane Garrincha Stadium. The Copa America 2021 final will be held at Rio de Janeiro's Maracana Stadium.

The last edition of the tournament was also held in Brazil in 2019.

With the revised structure, the 10-team Copa America will have two groups of five teams each. The first group comprises Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Paraguay and Bolivia while the second group includes defending champions Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. Watch Copa American live in India!

Eight teams will advance to the quarter-finals, which means only one team from each group won't move on to the knockout stages.

Football superstars like Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez are expected to take part in the competition. The squads for the national teams are yet to be announced.

Copa America 2021 schedule, fixtures and live India match times

All times in Indian Standard Time (IST)

GROUP STAGE 

Matchday 1

Monday, June 14: Brazil vs Venezuela - 2:30 AM IST

Monday, June 14: Colombia vs Ecuador - 5:30 AM IST

Matchday 2

Tuesday, June 15: Argentina vs Chile - 2:30 AM IST

Tuesday, June 15: Paraguay vs Bolivia - 5:30 AM IST

Matchday 3

Friday, June 18: Colombia vs Venezuela - 2:30 AM IST

Friday, June 18: Peru vs Brazil - 5:30 AM IST

Matchday 4

Saturday, June 19: Chile vs Bolivia - 2:30 AM IST

Saturday, June 19: Argentina vs Uruguay - 5:30 AM IST

Matchday 5

Monday, June 21: Venezuela vs Ecuador - 2:30 AM IST

Monday, June 21: Colombia vs Peru - 5:30 AM IST

Matchday 6

Tuesday, June 22: Uruguay vs Chile - 2:30 AM IST

Tuesday, June 22: Argentina vs Paraguay - 5:30 AM IST

Matchday 7

Thursday, June 24: Ecuador vs Peru - 2:30 AM IST

Thursday, June 24: Colombia vs Brazil - 5:30 AM IST

Matchday 8

Friday, June 25: Bolivia vs Uruguay - 2:30 AM IST

Friday, June 25: Chile vs Paraguay - 5:30 AM IST

Matchday 9

Monday, June 28: Brazil vs Ecuador - 2:30 AM IST

Monday, June 28: Venezuela vs Peru - 2:30 AM IST

Matchday 10

Tuesday, June 29: Uruguay vs Paraguay - 5:30 AM IST

Tuesday, June 29: Bolivia vs Argentina - 5:30 AM IST

Copa America 2021 knockout stage schedule

Copa America quarter-finals

Matchday 11

Saturday, July 3: 2B vs 3A - 2:30 AM IST

Saturday, July 3: 1B vs 4A - 5:30 AM IST

Matchday 12

Sunday, July 4: 2A vs 3B - 3:30 AM IST

Sunday, July 4: 1A vs 4B - 6:30 AM IST

Copa America semi-finals

Tuesday, July 6: WQF1 vs WQF2 - 4:30 AM IST

Wednesday, July 7: WQF3 vs WQF4 - 6:30 AM IST

Third and fourth place

Matchday 13

Saturday, July 10: LSF2 vs LSF1 - 5:30 AM IST

Copa America final

Saturday, July 11: WSF2 vs WSF1 - 5:30 AM IST

Where to watch Copa America 2021 live in India?

The Copa America will be telecast live on the Sony TEN 2 and the Sony TEN 2 HD TV channels in India. Sony TEN 4 and Sony SIX will broadcast matches in regional languages.

Live streaming of Copa America in India will be available on the SonyLiv platform.

Lionel Messi scored a late penalty as Argentina drew 2-2 with Uruguay in a friendly held in Israel Monday, with the Jewish state considering the match a victory.

The game pitted Messi against his Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez, and it looked as though the Uruguayan had gotten the better of him as he scored one goal and set up another to give his team a 2-1 lead going into injury time.

But a ball into the box was handled by a Uruguayan defender, and Messi calmly slotted the resulting penalty home to ensure an engaging friendly ended all square.

The 32-year-old had earlier teed up Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero to make it 1-1, after Edinson Cavani had opened the scoring.

Suarez scored a free-kick from outside the box to give his side the lead before Messi's late intervention.

The game had been dubbed by organisers as an important moment for Israel, following the cancellation of another Argentina match a year earlier after pressure from pro-Palestinian campaigners.

Organisers dubbed it as a game about peace, but boycott campaigners called for it to be cancelled over Israel's treatment of the Palestinians.

It was not immune from politics -- halfway through the first half the United States announced it no longer considered Israeli settlements in the West Bank illegal, a move condemned by the Palestinian leadership.

In the build-up to the game Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez said he had been "very worried" about the game after a flare up between Israel and militant groups in neighbouring Gaza last week.

The Israeli military said around 450 rockets were fired at its territory during the fighting and air defences intercepted dozens of them in mid-flight.

A ceasefire was declared on Thursday but remains fragile.

Sylvan Adams, an Israeli-Canadian businessman whose financial backing ensured the match was held in Israel, said he hoped to show another side of the Jewish state.

"In bringing perhaps the world's most famous athlete, Lionel Messi, to Israel, we are providing excitement for the entire country -�?for Muslim, Christian and Jewish citizens of Israel," he said in a statement to AFP.

"This is the 'normal' Israel that I know and love."

On the pitch at times it felt like the Messi show, with the crowd chanting his name and every mazy run greeted by vociferous cheering.

While not at his electric best, he showed moments of quality -- slaloming past defenders and forcing Uruguay goalkeeper Martin Campana into a number of smart saves.

The match comes after the cancellation of a pre-World Cup friendly fixture between Argentina and Israel in June 2018 after boycott calls.

That match had been due to be played in Jerusalem, sparking Palestinian anger and criticism of Argentina online.

Israel considers Jerusalem its "indivisible" capital, while Palestinians claim the eastern part of the city -- occupied by Israel in 1967 and later annexed -- as the capital of their future state.

Monday's game was held in the Israeli commercial capital Tel Aviv.

Messi has now scored in both games since a three-month international suspension for comments he made after Argentina were eliminated from the Copa America in July.

He accused CONMEBOL, the governing body of South American football, of corruption and fixing the tournament for hosts and eventual winners Brazil.

He returned to the national team on Friday, scoring the winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Brazil.

Featured image courtesy: AFP/ Jack Guez

Lionel Messi was called up by Argentina on Thursday for friendly games against Brazil and Uruguay next month, the country's football association announced on Twitter. 

Messi has not played for Argentina since he was sent off against Chile in their victorious third-place play-off match in the Copa America on July 7. 

The striker was then handed a three-month suspension for comments he made after the game, in which he accused CONMEBOL, the governing body of South American football, of corruption.

In-form Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero has been recalled after missing out on the last four friendlies, while Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo remains in the squad following his surprise recall after the Copa America.

#Convocatoria Lista de convocados de la Selección Mayor y Sub 23 para la doble fecha FIFA de noviembre. pic.twitter.com/Rrqj2vechK

�?Selección Argentina (@Argentina) October 31, 2019

In Messi's absence, Argentina have played four friendlies, drawing against Chile (0-0) and Germany (2-2) while thrashing Mexico 4-0 and Ecuador 6-1.

They face Brazil in Saudi Arabia on November 15 and then Uruguay in Israel on November 18. Messi's ban ends on November 3.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has endured an injury-hit start to the season after hurting his foot in August and then his thigh in September. 

But his recovery has coincided with a return to form for Barcelona, who have won their last seven consecutive games in all competitions. 

Messi scored twice in a 5-1 win over Real Valladolid on Tuesday. 

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Agustin Marchesín (Porto/POR), Juan Musso (Udinese/ITA), Emiliano Martinez (Arsenal/ENG), Esteban Andrada (Boca Juniors)

Defenders: Juan Foyth (Tottenham/ENG), Renzo Saravia (Porto/POR), Nicolas Otamendi (Man City/ENG), German Pezzella (Fiorentina/ITA), Marcos Rojo (Man Utd/ENG), Walter Kannemann (Gremio/BRA), Nicolas Taglafico (Ajax/NED), Nehuen Perez (Famalicao/POR), Guido Rodriguez (America/MEX)

Midfielders: Giovani Lo Celso (Tottenham/ENG), Leandro Paredes (PSG/FRA), Nicolas Dominguez (Velez), Rodrigo de Paul (Udinese/ITA), Marcos Acuna (Sporting Lisbon/POR), Roberto Pereyra (Watford/ENG), Lucas Ocampos (Sevilla/ESP)

Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona/ESP), Sergio Aguero (Man City/ENG), Nicolas Gonzalez (Stuttgart/GER), Lucas Alario (Bayer Leverkusen/GER), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan/ITA), Paulo Dybala (Juventus/ITA) 

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Douglas Magno