The 2026 World Cup qualification campaign is about to resume in South America.

With just 30 percent of the process remaining, the heat is on the various teams attempting to qualify for next year’s tournament.

Argentina are sitting pretty in top spot, while Chile have significant work to do. Can they spring a surprise in this one?

Chile vs Argentina best bets

• Argentina to win – 4/5 with bet365
• Chile under 0.5 goals – 21/20 with Ladbrokes
• Julian Alvarez to score any time – 7/4 with Tote

Chile vs Argentina odds

Find the latest Chile vs Argentina betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.

Chile vs Argentina predictions

We are still a year away from World Cup 2026 and Argentina already know they will be there to defend their crown.

Lionel Scaloni’s side, who beat France in a thrilling final back in 2022, booked their spot at the expanded edition back in March.

They are one of seven teams already guaranteed participation at the 48-team event, along with the USA, Mexico, Canada, New Zealand, Iran and Japan.

Argentina have been utterly dominant in CONMEBOL’s qualification tournament. With 10 wins and a draw from 14 games, they have 31 points to their name – eight more than Ecuador in second place.

Argentina came flying out of the blocks with four wins in a row and they have not looked back from there.

Brazil have struggled for consistency and Uruguay’s form has dipped in recent months, so Argentina have not had a proper challenger all campaign.

There is no questioning their status as South America’s preeminent side right now. The World Cup is obviously the jewel in the crown, but Argentina have won the last two editions of the Copa America too, most recently in 2024.

Wrapping up qualification early gives Scaloni the chance to experiment for the remainder of the process. Four uncapped players have been called up for the June internationals, including River Plate’s 17-year-old starlet Franco Mastantuono and Enzo Barrenechea of Valencia.

There is plenty of experience within the group too. The likes of Nicolas Otamendi, Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes and of course Lionel Messi have all been there and done it many times before, but Scaloni has indicated he will mix things up to an extent.

“There will be a lot of absences, especially in the midfield,” he said at his pre-match press conference. “I haven’t confirmed the lineup yet because that will depend on training. But we’ll give a chance to players who haven’t had many minutes. It’s their moment to play.”

Chile are rock-bottom of the 10-team table, although a five-point deficit to the play-off spot means they retain faint qualification hopes for now.

Chilean football is not in a great place right now, though. Alexis Sanchez and Arturo Vidal remain, but the rest of the golden generation has gone – and their replacements are not of the same calibre.

Chile vs Argentina betting tips

Argentina are strong favourites to see off Chile when the two teams go head-to-head on Friday (UK time).

Argentina to win

Chile only have two wins to their name in the 14 qualifiers they have contested so far, but both of those have come at home.

Argentina will have to be focused on the task at hand despite Chile’s position at the foot of the table, but if they play to their potential the world champions should win this one without too much difficulty.

That is the case even if Scaloni names a B side in Santiago, with Chile unlikely to be able to match Argentina.

The reverse fixture ended 3-0 in the Argentinians’ favour, and while Chile should put up more of a fight in front of their own fans, another defeat looks likely.

Argentina should add another three points to their tally in this one.

Back Argentina to win at 4/5 with bet365

Chile under 0.5 goals

Chile have struggled for goals ever since this World Cup qualification cycle began in September 2023.

They have found the back of the net just nine times up to now; only Peru have a worse record in that regard.

Chile have failed to score in a mammoth nine of 14 qualifiers, so opponents regularly keep clean sheets against them.

There is a good chance Argentina will do so here. Scaloni will probably name a strong defensive line-up with rotation in other areas. Another difficult night awaits Chile’s attackers.

Go for a Chile blank at 21/20 with Ladbrokes

Julian Alvarez to score any time

Scaloni’s aforementioned comments make it difficult to predict the starting XI on Friday, but the Argentina manager is likely to opt for a blend of youth and experience.

With Lionel Messi’s participation in doubt, Julian Alvarez should get the nod as part of the attacking trio.

The Atletico Madrid attacker is an important player for club and country, although he will be keen to improve on a ratio of a goal every 3.67 games for Argentina.

Against a mediocre Chile side propping up the table, Alvarez should get plenty of opportunities to make the net bulge. 

Tip Julian Alvarez to score any time at 7/4 with Tote

How to watch Chile vs Argentina

• Location: Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Pradanos, Santiago, Chile
• Date and time: Friday 6 June, 2am.
• How to watch: Not being shown live in the UK.

About the author

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.

Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball

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