Lionel Messi’s second 2026 World Cup qualifying match with Argentina will kickoff against Bolivia at 4 p.m. ET today.

But whether Messi, the 36-year-old soccer great, plays in this match is the lingering question.

Messi did not practice with his Argentina teammates Monday, according to the Associated Press.

His playing fate could be decided hours before Tuesday’s match at the Estadio Hernando Siles in La Paz, Bolivia, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said in a press conference Sunday.

Messi’s presence might not be as needed against Bolivia, which lost 5-1 to Brazil last week, as it was against Ecuador last week when he scored the lone goal.

Still, Messi could appear against Bolivia to appease the Bolivian fan base, still resting to some extent.

How to watch Argentina vs. Bolivia match today

The Argentina-Bolivia match is set for 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT on Tuesday and available on Telemundo, UNIVERSO and TUDN USA.

Why did Messi leave Argentina’s match against Ecuador?

Considering Messi’s recent stretch of games — playing 12 consecutive matches for MLS' Inter Miami before flying overseas — fatigue was the reason he asked to be pulled just before the 89^th minute during the Argentina qualifying match.

“Leo was tired the other day and asked to be substituted,” Scaloni said. “But it’s not needed that we speak to him before matches. We see as it goes.”

How did Leo Messi perform in Argentina’s 1-0 win over Ecuador?

Messi delivered in a big way for fans in his home country last week.

Messi – playing in his first game with Argentina since the 2022 World Cup final – scored a free kick in the 78th minute to lead Argentina to a 1-0 win over Ecuador at Estadio Más Monumental in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Messi scored in patented fashion, his left boot finding the left side of the net and leaving Ecuadorian goalkeeper Hernán Galíndez cowering down to one knee after the score.

How much has Leo Messi played since joining Inter Miami?

Messi has been on a grind since joining David Beckham’s MLS team Inter Miami in late July.

Messi has appeared in 12 matches during a 48-day stretch, including Argentina’s 1-0 victory over Ecuador in World Cup qualifying last Thursday.

Messi has led Inter Miami to a 10-1-0 (win-draw-loss) record with 11 goals scored.

How many Inter Miami games will Leo Messi miss?

Messi has already missed Inter Miami’s 3-2 victory against Sporting Kansas City last Saturday at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.

But Messi’s participation in both Argentina games could impact his availability for Inter Miami’s next match against Atlanta United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sept. 16.

Inter Miami has four more games in a 10-day stretch to wrap the month of September: vs. Toronto on Sept. 20; at Orlando City on Sept. 24, vs. Houston in U.S. Open Cup final on Sept. 27; vs. New York City FC on Sept. 30.

How will Argentina fare in 2026 World Cup qualifying?

Argentina is expected to reach the World Cup again.

Argentina has three points in Conmebol qualifying, following its win over Ecuador. Ecuador ends the match with minus-three points.

Due to the World Cup expansion for 2026, six South American teams will qualify directly for the World Cup. A seventh team will play in the FIFA playoff tournament.

The 2026 World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada and expanding to a 48-team format.

Relive Messi’s World Cup title with Argentina

Messi was spectacular, scoring two goals and his penalty kick, to help Argentina outduel a hat trick from superstar Kylian Mbappe and France 3-3 (4-2 penalty kicks) in the 2022 World Cup final last December.

Messi was awarded the Golden Ball, given to the best player in the tournament, in what is considered the greatest World Cup final of all-time.

Will Messi play for Argentina again in the World Cup?

It’s unclear whether Messi, 36, will play for Argentina in the 2024 Copa America and the 2026 World Cup or will retire from national team competition before then.

“Even I don't know when. It’ll happen when it happens,” Messi said when asked about retiring during an interview broadcast on Argentine television in July. “After winning everything I want to enjoy the moment and wait for time to tell me when it's the moment.

"Logically, given my age, one would expect it to be soon, but I don't know for sure.”

While Messi’s World Cup final was expected to be his last World Cup game, Argentina coach Lionel  Scaloni said in January “the door will always be open" for the country’s biggest star.