Dar es Salaam, March 18 -- MIAMI: The world champions will face Uruguay on March 21 and Brazil on March 25 without their influential captain.

Lionel Messi will miss Argentinas qualifying matches for the FIFA World Cup 2026 after suffering a groin strain in Inter Miamis victory over Atlanta at the weekend, his club has confirmed.

Inter Miami said in a statement on Monday that a scan had revealed Messi suffered a “low-grade injury in the adductor muscle” in the 2-1 win on Sunday. The statement gave no timetable for Messis return.

“His clinical progress and response to treatment will determine his availability for competition,” Inter said.

After missing three games for Inter earlier this month, the 37-ye...