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Argentina Hopes Messi Will Play at 2026 World Cup Even as Team Wins Without him

Fans of Argentina hold a flag with the picture of Argetina's forward Lionel Messi before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers football match between Argentina and Brazil at the Mas Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires province, on March 25, 2025. (Photo by Luis ROBAYO / AFP)
Fans of Argentina hold a flag with the picture of Argetina's forward Lionel Messi before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers football match between Argentina and Brazil at the Mas Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires province, on March 25, 2025. (Photo by Luis ROBAYO / AFP)
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Argentina Hopes Messi Will Play at 2026 World Cup Even as Team Wins Without him

Fans of Argentina hold a flag with the picture of Argetina's forward Lionel Messi before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers football match between Argentina and Brazil at the Mas Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires province, on March 25, 2025. (Photo by Luis ROBAYO / AFP)
Fans of Argentina hold a flag with the picture of Argetina's forward Lionel Messi before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers football match between Argentina and Brazil at the Mas Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires province, on March 25, 2025. (Photo by Luis ROBAYO / AFP)

Argentina is proving it can win without Lionel Messi, just in case he opts not to play in the 2026 World Cup.
After Argentina secured a spot in next year's competition, the main question now is whether the 37-year-old star will play in his sixth tournament and try to win back-to-back championships.
“We will see what happens, there’s plenty of time," Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said, according to The Associated Press. "We must go one game a time otherwise (we) will be speaking about the same thing the rest of the year and we need to leave him alone, we will see. He will decide it whenever he wants, let’s not drive him crazy with this.”
On Tuesday, hours after Argentina qualified for the next World Cup, it went out and handed Brazil its worst-ever loss World Cup qualifying — a 4-1 thrashing. That was days after Argentina's 1-0 victory at Uruguay.
Both victories came without Messi. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner had been ruled out after sustaining a low-grade adductor muscle injury.
Messi, who captained Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title in Qatar, has been sidelined several times by Inter Miami this season because of injury concerns.
His Argentina teammates left no doubt about their hopes for Messi to return.
“With Messi we might have scored two or three more goals,” said striker Julián Álvarez, who scored one goal against Brazil.
Bolivia’s failure to beat Uruguay on Tuesday assured Argentina — which leads the South American qualifiers with 31 points — of one of the continent’s six direct spots for the 48-team World Cup to be co-hosted next year by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
After Tuesday's big win at Monumental de Nunez Stadium, midfielder Rodrigo de Paul seemed to speak for the whole country.
"The best of our teams is always when the No. 10 is playing," De Paul said, “because he is the greatest of all time.”

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Sports

Morocco Hosting AFCON will Help Algeria, Chaibi Says

Soccer Football - Friendly - Fulham v Eintracht Frankfurt - Craven Cottage, London, Britain - August 9, 2025 Eintracht Frankfurt's Fares Chaibi Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
Soccer Football - Friendly - Fulham v Eintracht Frankfurt - Craven Cottage, London, Britain - August 9, 2025 Eintracht Frankfurt's Fares Chaibi Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
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Morocco Hosting AFCON will Help Algeria, Chaibi Says

Soccer Football - Friendly - Fulham v Eintracht Frankfurt - Craven Cottage, London, Britain - August 9, 2025 Eintracht Frankfurt's Fares Chaibi Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
Soccer Football - Friendly - Fulham v Eintracht Frankfurt - Craven Cottage, London, Britain - August 9, 2025 Eintracht Frankfurt's Fares Chaibi Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

Algeria hope to use the familiarity of Morocco's climate to land a third Africa Cup of Nations title, midfielder Fares Chaibi said despite his dismay that the upcoming tournament was not being held in the summer.

The Eintracht Frankfurt player, capped 22 times, also believed the proximity would make it easier for Algerian fans to rally behind the team when AFCON begins on December 21, according to Reuters.

The French-born Chaibi expressed his excitement about the tournament, although it means he will miss crucial games for his club.

"We're eagerly waiting for this Cup," Chaibi told Reuters in a Zoom interview.

"It will undoubtedly be a fantastic tournament. Our Moroccan brothers have excellent infrastructure and know how to organise events.

"We have no doubt about the quality of the stadiums. I think all teams are happy to play in Morocco, and I hope it will be a great tournament," he added.

"Morocco has the same climate as Algeria, we won't feel like strangers, we'll almost be at home. We have everything to deliver a big tournament, and we're going there to make it happen."

Algeria's AFCON triumphs have come in North Africa. First as hosts in 1990, then in Egypt in 2019.

Chaibi believes summer is the ideal time for AFCON, but playing in winter won't stop him from trying to erase the disappointment of Algeria's early group-stage exit in Ivory Coast in 2024.

"It was supposed to be in summer... As professional players, we'll always be there and answer the call of the homeland, no matter the timing. But in my view, summer is better," he said.

"It doesn't disrupt the season. We are focused at the end of the campaign, then get some rest. Now we break the season in half and miss club games, which isn't ideal. But as I said, we'll adapt."

ALGERIAN ROOTS

Born in Lyon to Algerian parents, the 23-year-old never considered waiting for a France call-up, unlike peers such as Rayan Cherki and Maghnes Akliouche, who earned their first caps for Les Bleus this year.

"It was a natural choice. Algeria is my country. France is also my country because I was born there, but I feel more Algerian. It wasn't a hard decision, and it wasn’t disrespectful to France. it's a great football nation," Chaibi said.

"But my culture has always been Algerian, and I wanted to make my family proud."

Chaibi helped Algeria return to the World Cup after a 12-year absence, fulfilling his childhood dream of joining the team he watched at Brazil 2014.

Algeria, making their fifth finals appearance, will face holders Argentina, Jordan, and Austria in Group J of the expanded 48-team tournament in North America next summer.

"I think it's every kid's dream. When you watch the World Cup, you say, 'Wow, this is huge'. And when you are from Africa, it's not easy. Things are better now with more slots, but before, few African nations made it," Chaibi said.

Sports

Argentina and Spain to Face off in 2026 'Finalissima' in Qatar

Spain and Argentina have met 14 times, with both teams winning six times each. - Reuters File Photo
Spain and Argentina have met 14 times, with both teams winning six times each. - Reuters File Photo
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Argentina and Spain to Face off in 2026 'Finalissima' in Qatar

Spain and Argentina have met 14 times, with both teams winning six times each. - Reuters File Photo
Spain and Argentina have met 14 times, with both teams winning six times each. - Reuters File Photo

European Championship winners Spain will face Copa America champions Argentina in the 'Finalissima' game in Qatar in March next year, European soccer body UEFA announced on Thursday.

The contest between the two continental champions was revived in 2021 when UEFA and South American confederation CONMEBOL strongly opposed FIFA's plans for a biennial World Cup, Reuters reported.

Lionel Messi's Argentina outclassed Italy 3-0 in the 2022 contest and the South American side will return to the Lusail Stadium in Qatar where they were crowned world champions three years ago.

The match will be held on March 27, 2026, with the game kicking off at 9 p.m. local time.

Spain and Argentina have met 14 times, with both teams winning six times each.

Sports

Salah and Mbeumo Lead the List of Premier League Players Heading to the AFCON

Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion v Liverpool - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - May 19, 2025 Liverpool's Mohamed Salah looks dejected after the match. (Action Images via Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion v Liverpool - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - May 19, 2025 Liverpool's Mohamed Salah looks dejected after the match. (Action Images via Reuters)
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Salah and Mbeumo Lead the List of Premier League Players Heading to the AFCON

Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion v Liverpool - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - May 19, 2025 Liverpool's Mohamed Salah looks dejected after the match. (Action Images via Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion v Liverpool - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - May 19, 2025 Liverpool's Mohamed Salah looks dejected after the match. (Action Images via Reuters)

Mohamed Salah has gone for up to a month, costing Liverpool its all-time leading goal-scorer in the Premier League.

Manchester United has lost its most potent attacking force in Bryan Mbeumo, along with two more key figures.

They're nothing compared to Sunderland, a promoted team punching above its weight in England's top flight. It has been decimated by the loss of six players.

The Africa Cup of Nations is taking a toll on the Premier League, with some of its biggest stars heading off to the tournament situated right in the middle of the season, according to The AP news.

It is unfortunate that AFCON can be cast as a nuisance for many clubs in Europe — though international soccer in general can be viewed like that when pitted against club ambitions of winning titles. But at least the World Cup, European Championship or Copa America are staged during the offseason of Europe's top leagues.

AFCON is traditionally held in January-February but has been brought forward this year — from Sunday to Jan. 18 — meaning less disruption for leagues in Spain, Germany and France, which have winter breaks of varying periods in December-January.

The Premier League, however, plays through the Christmas and New Year holidays, with the added strain of the FA Cup thrown into one of the busiest periods of the campaign.

The likes of Liverpool and United should have deep enough squads to cope with the loss of key players such as Salah and Mbeumo. But it could have a major impact on Sunderland, which is just two points off the top four after an outstanding start to the season.

Arthur Masuaku, Noah Sadiki, Bertrand Traore, Habib Diarra, Chemsdine Talbi and Reinildo Mandava are all taking part in the Africa Cup in Morocco.

Sunderland is an outlier with so many going to the tournament but for Crystal Palace the loss of just one player — Ismaila Sarr — is potentially significant, given his importance to the team. Likewise, Brighton is losing key midfielder Carlos Baleba.

Burnley, second to bottom in the standings, is losing three players and so is Fulham.

Notably, at the top of the table, Arsenal has no players in the AFCON, likewise title-challenging Aston Villa and Chelsea, which could be telling over the next month.

Premier League players going to AFCON Brentford: Dango Ouattara (Burkina Faso), Frank Onyeka (Nigeria)

Brighton: Carlos Baleba (Cameroon)

Burnley: Axel Tuanzebe (DR Congo), Hannibal Mejbri (Tunisia), Lyle Foster (South Africa)

Crystal Palace: Ismaila Sarr (Senegal)

Everton: Idrissa Gana Gueye (Senegal), Iliman Ndiaye (Senegal)

Fulham: Calvin Bassey (Nigeria), Samuel Chukwueze (Nigeria), Alex Iwobi (Nigeria)

Liverpool: Mohamed Salah (Egypt)

Manchester City: Rayan Ait-Nouri (Algeria), Omar Marmoush (Egypt)

Manchester United: Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon), Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast), Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco)

Nottingham Forest: Willy Boly (Ivory Coast), Ibrahim Sangare (Ivory Coast)

Sunderland: Arthur Masuaku (DR Congo), Noah Sadiki (DR Congo), Bertrand Traore (Burkina Faso), Habib Diarra (Senegal), Chemsdine Talbi (Morocco), Reinildo Mandava (Mozambique)

Tottenham Hotspur: Yves Bissouma (Mali), Pape Matar Sarr (Senegal)

West Ham United: Aaron Wan-Bissaka (DR Congo), El Hadji Malik Diouf (Senegal)

Wolverhampton Wanderers: Emmanuel Agbadou (Ivory Coast), Tawanda Chirewa (Zimbabwe)

Key matchups On Saturday, first-place Arsenal travels to Everton, while City in second is at home against West Ham. Liverpool will look to win back-to-back league games for the first time since September when the defending champion heads to Tottenham.

Aston Villa and United meet on Sunday.

Players to watch Hugo Ekitike has scored four goals in his last two league games. With Salah off to the AFCON, Liverpool's other forwards can establish themselves without the noise that has surrounded the Anfield icon in recent weeks when his future has been placed in doubt.

Out of action United States international Tyler Adams suffered suspected left knee MCL damage in Bournemouth's 4-4 draw with United on Monday. Chelsea forward Estevao has a small muscle issue, coach Enzo Maresca said. Everton was monitoring a potential hamstring complaint for Jack Grealish.

Off the field Expect more protests at last-place Wolves.

Bottom of the standings and looking certain to be relegated, Wolves will equal Sheffield United's 2020-21 record of 17 games without a win from the start of a Premier League season if they fail to beat Brentford at home on Saturday.

There were protests at Wolves' last home match against Manchester United this month and, despite a spirited performance at Arsenal last week, Rob Edwards' team is 14 points adrift of safety.