Uruguay vs Argentina: Preview, predictions and lineups
- Argentina travel to Uruguay in 2026 World Cup qualifying on Friday
- World champions top of the CONMEBOL standings
- Uruguay can close gap to Argentina to two points with victory
Second host first in CONMEBOL 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying on Friday evening as Uruguay welcome Argentina to Montevideo.
The defending world champions have accumulated 25 points from their 12 qualifying matches and can secure their place at next summer's World Cup should they end the March international break 13 points clear of seventh place. Victory at Uruguay would see them take an enormous step towards booking their ticket.
Argentina are currently FIFA's top-ranked national team but have been in patchy form since claiming the 2024 Copa America title. They have won three, lost two and drawn once across their last six matches, with none of those victories coming away from home.
Uruguay will pose a sizeable challenge for Argentina and can reduce the gap between themselves and their opponents to just two points should they win on Friday. They beat Lionel Scaloni's side earlier in qualifying and have the tools to claim victory on home soil.
Here is 90min's guide to a mammoth affair in South America.
What time does Uruguay vs Argentina kick-off?
- Location: Montevideo, Uruguay
- Stadium: Estadio Centenario
- Date: Friday 21 March
- Kick-off: 23:30 GMT / 18:30 ET / 15:30 PT
- Referee: Juan Benitez (PAR)
- VAR: Derlis Lopez (PAR)
Uruguay vs Argentina head-to-head record (last five games)
- Uruguay: 1 win
- Argentina: 3 wins
- Draws: 1
- Last meeting: Argentina 0-2 Uruguay (17 November 2023) - World Cup qualifying
Current form (all competitions)
Uruguay | Argentina |
|---|---|
Brazil 1-1 Uruguay - 20/11/24 | Argentina 1-0 Peru - 20/11/24 |
Uruguay 3-2 Colombia - 16/11/24 | Paraguay 2-1 Argentina - 14/11/24 |
Uruguay 0-0 Ecuador - 16/10/24 | Argentina 6-0 Bolivia - 16/10/24 |
Peru 1-0 Uruguay - 12/10/24 | Venezuela 1-1 Argentina - 10/10/24 |
Venezuela 0-0 Uruguay - 10/09/24 | Colombia 2-1 Argentina - 10/09/24 |
How to watch Uruguay vs Argentina on TV - UK and US
Country | TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
United Kingdom | N/A |
United States | Fanatiz USA |
Canada | Fanatiz Canada |
Uruguay team news
Uruguay boss Marcelo Bielsa has raised eyebrows by selecting a 38-man squad for the March internationals, offering fringe players some valuable experience within the national team set-up even if they play no part in clashes with Argentina and Bolivia.
One of those who would have been guaranteed a start on Friday is Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte, but he will miss the visit of Argentina due to suspension.
The likes of Ronald Araujo, Federico Valverde, Rodrigo Bentancur and Darwin Nunez are among the stars who will feature - the latter having recently revealed he's eager to forget his poor club form while with his compatriots.
Uruguay predicted lineup vs Argentina
Uruguay predicted lineup vs Argentina (4-2-3-1): Rochet; Nandez, R Araujo, Gimenez, Saracchi; Valverde, Bentancur; Pellistri, Aguirre, M. Araujo; Nunez.
Argentina team news
Eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi is missing from the Argentina squad after sustaining an adductor issue with Inter Miami at the weekend, with Lautaro Martinez having since added his name to the injury list after withdrawing from the national team due to a hamstring issue.
Atletico Madrid's Angel Correa is expected to lead the line in Martinez's absence, while Nicolas Gonzalez of Juventus should replace Messi on the right-hand side.
Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister will be joined in midfield by Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez, while Tottenham's Cristian Romero has been included and should start after recently returning from injury.
Argentina predicted lineup vs Uruguay
Argentina predicted lineup vs Uruguay (4-3-3): Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Mac Allister, Fernandez; Gonzalez, Correa, Alvarez.
Uruguay vs Argentina score prediction
There is unlikely to be much separating Uruguay and Argentina on Friday evening, with the scoreline likely to reflect two similarly matched sides.
The world champions will be marginal favourites but their recent away record and attacking injuries will offer Bielsa's men hope.
Both sides are all but guaranteed their place at the World Cup but will still want to finish top of the tree, with a feisty contest perhaps ending all square in Montevideo.
Prediction: Uruguay 1-1 Argentina
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