Argentina and Chile will face off this Thursday, June 5, in a new edition of their South American rivalry, as part of Matchday 15 of the CONMEBOL qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The game, set to take place at the Estadio Nacional in Santiago, brings contrasting situations for both teams: Argentina has already qualified, while Chile is fighting to stay alive.

A Pressure-Free Test for Argentina

With their ticket to the World Cup secured since March, Lionel Scaloni will use this match to give playing time to new faces. Several key players like Otamendi, Paredes, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister, and Lo Celso will be absent, opening the door for young talents such as Franco Mastantuono, Nicolás Paz, Thiago Almada, and Giuliano Simeone to earn minutes with the senior team.

While Lionel Messi has been called up, reports suggest he will not start and might only feature in the second half.

Do-or-Die for Chile

Things are much more tense for Ricardo Gareca's Chile, who sit last in the standings with 10 points, five points away from the playoff spot and only four matchdays left. A win against the reigning world champions is crucial to keep their World Cup hopes alive.

Different Stakes, Same Tension

For Argentina, this match is a valuable opportunity to continue their generational transition and stay in rhythm ahead of the 2026 tournament. For Chile, it could define their entire qualifying campaign—anything less than a win may be catastrophic.

🕒 Kickoff times (USA):
Eastern Time (ET): 10:00 p.m.
Pacific Time (PT): 7:00 p.m.