Argentina vs. Colombia starting lineups, team news, score prediction: Messi likely returns to XI

Lionel Messi is expected to return to the Argentina starting lineup as the defending World Cup champions contest a 2026 qualifier at home against Colombia on Tuesday evening.

Thanks to a commanding lead atop the CONMEBOL qualifying standings, Argentina have not only confirmed their spot at the 2026 World Cup months ago, but now also are solidified in the top spot. They sit a whopping 10 points over the rest of the field with just three more games to be played.

Thus, head coach Lionel Scaloni can begin rotating his squad if he wishes to give key players time off and get a look at those who may be fighting for roster spots, but he will likely not change too many things knowing that chemistry is of paramount importance.

Colombia, meanwhile, are in real danger of falling out of a qualifying position, which seemed unthinkable just a year ago. Los Cafeteros came into the 2024 Copa America as one of South America's hottest teams, and reached the title match, losing in agonizing fashion to their opponents here.

Since then, they have spiraled into a truly astonishing tailspin, winning just two of their nine qualifying matches and plummeting to sixth in the table. The top six reach the World Cup automatically, while seventh place earns an intercontinental playoff position, leaving them teetering on the brink of disaster.

Argentina vs. Colombia starting lineups, team news

Argentina were thin in midfield when they visited Chile a few days ago, and a number of regulars will need to pass fit in order to participate here. The likes of Enzo Fernandez, Gio Lo Celso, and Leandro Paredes all failed to make the squad and did not appear in the game. Nicolas Otamendi was also not available, but it's expected that he, Fernandez, and Paredes will return to action.

However, one player who will almost surely return to the starting lineup is Lionel Messi who came off the bench against Chile to give the 37-year-old rest. According to well-connected journalist Gaston Edul, Messi will start the match.

Alexis Mac Allister was not named to the Argentina roster for this international break after picking up an injury at the end of Liverpool's season, while veteran defenders German Pezzela, Gonzalo Montiel, and Marcos Acuna were all not selected for international duty.

Nicolas Tagliafico is suspended due to yellow card accumulation after his 59th minute booking against Chile, meaning either Facundo Medina or Valentin Barco could be deployed.

Argentina predicted lineup (4-3-3, right to left): E. Martinez (GK) — Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Medina — De Paul, E. Fernandez, Paredes — Messi, L. Martinez, Alvarez.

Full Argentina squad

Goalkeepers: Walter Benitez, Emiliano Martinez, Geronimo Rulli.

Defenders: Leonardo Balerdi, Valentin Barco, Juan Foyth, Kevin Lomonaco, Facundo Medina, Nahuel Molina, Nicolas Otamendi, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Tagliafico, Mariano Troilo.

Midfielders: Thiago Almada, Enzo Barrenechea, Emiliano Buendia, Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Giovani Lo Celso, Franco Mastantuono, Exequiel Palacios, Leandro Paredes, Nico Paz.

Forwards: Julian Alvarez, Angel Correa, Nicolas Gonzalez, Lautaro Martinez, Lionel Messi, Giuliano Simeone.

MORE: A full breakdown of the USMNT roster for the 2025 Gold Cup

Colombia head coach Nestor Lorenzo said after the draw with Peru that striker Jhon Duran has struggled with a back injury dating back to his time with Aston Villa. While he has managed it effectively the last few months, the pain flared back up during their last match and he was withdrawn at halftime, leaving his participation for this game in doubt.

Luis Diaz will provide a much-needed jolt of attacking life as he returns from yellow card suspension, with the team sorely missing his influence against Peru. He could be deployed up front in Duran's potential absence, or be put out wide in a more natural position.

Colombia predicted lineup (4-4-2, right to left): Mier (GK) — Munoz, Mina, D. Sanchez, Machado — Lerma, Rios — Arias, J. Rodriguez, J. Hernandez — Diaz.

Full Colombia squad

Goalkeepers: Kevin Mier, David Ospina, Camilo Vargas.

Defenders: Cristian Borja, Willer Ditta, Jhon Lucumi, Deiver Machado, Yerry Mina, Daniel Munoz, Andres Roman, Davinson Sanchez.

Midfielders: Jhon Arias, Yaser Asprilla, Jaminton Campaz, Jorge Carrascal, Kevin Castano, Jefferson Lerma, Gustavo Puerta, Richard Rios, James Rodriguez.

Forwards: Luis Diaz, Jhon Duran, Juan Camilo Hernandez, Marino Hinestroza, Luis Suarez.

Argentina vs. Colombia score prediction

Colombia will welcome Luis Diaz back to the fold, which will see their attacking intent improve significantly, but Los Cafeteros have struggled to defend in recent months, as their scoreless draw last time out was just the side's second clean sheet (against bottom-tier Peru and Chile) in nine World Cup qualifiers since the end of the 2024 Copa America.

Argentina, in turn, get to respond with 90 minutes of Lionel Messi, while a number of other influential midfielders also return to the fold.

Colombia have not won on Argentine soil since their famous 5-0 qualifying victory in 1993, and there's no indication of that changing here.

Prediction: Argentina 2-1 Colombia

Argentina vs. Colombia live stream, TV channel

This CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier will be televised in the United States on Telemundo in Spanish. That channel is available to be streamed on Fubo, who are offering a free trial for new users.

For all territories without a dedicated broadcast partner for this match, the game can be found streaming on Fanatiz or Onefootball.