The 2026 Conmebol World Cup Qualifiers are set to culminate on Tuesday, as Lionel Messi’s teammates and Argentina gear up for their final qualifying match against Ecuador. Enthusiastic fans in the stands await eagerly to witness one of the world’s most illustrious soccer players in action.

This fixture is not merely a regular outing for Lionel Scaloni and their players. Also, the Argentine maestro just made his terminal official appearance for the Argentine National Soccer Team in World Cup Qualifiers at home against Venezuela.

Both Argentine and Ecuadorian supporters have flocked to secure tickets for what would have been Messi’s final Qualifier spectacle in the blue and white stripes. Although Ecuador have home-field advantage, all eyes are on Argentina as they eye a finish with 41 points in the standings.

Even though teams have deployed their tactics in the preceding fixtures of the 2026 qualifiers, the sense of seeing top-tier talents compete remains intact, reminding us that player contracts lie with clubs rather than national teams.

Why is Messi not playing for Argentina vs. Ecuador today?

Lionel Messi will not feature in today’s starting XI against Ecuador. With both nations already qualified for the next stage of the 2026 World Cup, Messi did not travel with the Argentine squad, as Argentina start exploring roster alternatives for the main tournament.

While Messi’s absence will undoubtedly be felt by fans attending the Argentine-Ecuador encounter, the stage is set for other players to potentially debut, depending on how the match unfolds, with qualification already secured.

Confirmed lineups for Argentina and Ecuador today

There were substantial adjustments in both lineups for today’s match. With Messi absent from the squad that traveled to Ecuador, here are the names that will jump into the pitch against Ecuador.

  • Argentina’s confirmed starting XI: Emiliano Martinez; Nicolas Tagliafico, Leonardo Balerdi, Nicolas Otamendi, and Gonzalo Montiel; Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes, Nicolas Gonzalez, Giuliano Simeone, Alexis Mac Allister; Lautaro Martinez.
  • Ecuador’s confirmed starting XI: Hernan Galíndez; Angelo Preciado, Joel Ordoñez, Willian Pacho, Piero Hincapie, Nilson Angulo; Alan Franco, Moisés Caicedo, and Pedro Vite; Gonzalo Plata and Enner Valencia.