Argentina vs. Peru: Predicted XI for World Cup holders in key qualification fixture

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni will have to make at least one change to his starting side for Tuesday's 2026 World Cup qualification fixture with Peru.

Tottenham Hotspur's Cristian Romero has left the camp due to the foot injury that he picked up in the team's shock 2-1 defeat to Paraguay last time out.

Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez, meanwhile, had to pull out of the squad with an issue related to his back and hip last week, so Argentina are short in the middle of their defence.

Romero's absence is likely to open the door for Marseille's Leonardo Balerdi to win his fifth cap, with the 25-year-old likely to feature alongside Nicolas Otamendi in the middle of the defence.

Scaloni is unlikely to make any further changes to his side, meaning that Man United's Alejandro Garnacho should continue on the bench, with the youngster potentially having an impact in the second period.

Lionel Messi is set to take to the field for the 191st time in an Argentina shirt on Tuesday night, while Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez are again expected to be in the XI for the reigning world champions.

Leandro Paredes is an option to come into central midfield against Peru, but Rodrigo De Paul and Enzo Fernandez are again likely to be the central two for Argentina, who are top of the South American qualification section on 22 points.

Argentina possible starting lineup: E Martinez; Molina, Balerdi, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Fernandez; Messi, Mac Allister, Alvarez; L Martinez