Messi’s hometown turns blue & white

Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic gave Russian President Vladimir Putin a Croatian soccer shirt with the name "Putin" printed on the back on Sunday, hours before Croatia play France in the World Cup final in Moscow.

Croatia has been caught up in soccer fever after the Balkan nation of 4.2 million people swept aside more fancied opponents to reach its first ever World Cup final, which Russia is hosting this year.

Grabar-Kitarovic has, herself, entered into the spirit of the occasion, travelling to Russia to watch matches and dressing in the colours of the national flag. Croatia knocked Russia's team out of the competition in the quarter-finals.

At a Kremlin meeting, Putin congratulated the Croatian president on the Croatian team's performance.

"I'm sure we will see a beautiful game today," he said. Grabar-Kitarovic thanked Putin for what she said was the successful organisation of the competition.

Putin presented her with a bouquet of flowers, while she gave the Russian leader the Croatian national shirt.

Bangladesh have fallen two places to 186th in the FIFA rankings, the latest published on Thursday, while reigning world champions Argentina retain their top position despite a 2-1 defeat to Colombia.

Eager to improve their standing, Bangladesh faced Bhutan in two recent friendlies during the FIFA window. However, Javier Cabrera's side secured a narrow 1-0 victory in the first match on September 05 before suffering to a defeat by same margin three days later.

The top ten positions remain unchanged, with Argentina leading the pack, followed by France, Spain, England, Brazil, Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, Colombia, and Italy.

Lionel Messi will miss Argentina's upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia through injury, with Paulo Dybala recalled to coach Lionel Scaloni's squad on Monday.

Messi has not played for club side Inter Miami since suffering an ankle injury in Argentina's 1-0 victory over Colombia in the Copa America final.

Roma forward Dybala has not made an international appearance since March 2023 but could get an opportunity to add to his 38 caps in Messi's absence.

The reigning world champions will also be without Angel Di Maria after the veteran winger's international retirement.

Argentina are currently top of South American qualifying for the 2026 tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The top six teams in the 10-nation table will qualify automatically for the finals.

Scaloni's men will host Chile on September 6, before facing Colombia in Barranquilla four days later.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa/ENG), Juan Musso (Atalanta/ITA), Geronimo Rulli (Marseille/FRA), Walter Benitez (PSV Eindhoven/NED)

Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel (Sevilla/ESP), Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Leonardo Balerdi (Marseille/FRA), Cristian Romero (Tottenham/ENG), German Pezzella (River Plate), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica/POR), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United/ENG), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon/FRA), Valentin Barco (Sevilla/ESP).

Midfielders: Guido Rodriguez (West Ham/ENG), Leandro Paredes (Roma/ITA), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool/ENG), Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Ezequiel Fernandez (Al Qadsiah/KSA), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea/ENG), Giovani Lo Celso (Tottenham/ENG)

Forwards: Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United/ENG), Nicolas Gonzalez (Fiorentina/ITA), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan/ITA), Valentin Carboni (Monza/ITA) Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Giuliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Valentin Castellanos (Lazio/ITA), Matias Soule (Roma/ITA), Paulo Dybala (Roma/ITA)

Edgardo Bauza bemoaned the timing of Lionel Messi's suspension after Argentina's woes were compounded in a stunning loss to Bolivia as the head coach remained defiant.

Named in Bauza's starting XI on Monday, captain and five-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi was banned by FIFA on the day of Argentina's 2-0 World Cup qualifying defeat in Bolivia.

Messi was forced to watch from the sidelines on Tuesday after insulting a match official in last week's win over Chile and Bauza was less than impressed.

"What surprised us was the little time we were given to release a legal response," Bauza said. "We had half an hour to send the first note. And after that, during the night hours, we stayed until four in the morning for the second note.

"It's strange because FIFA gives you the possibility to deliver an opinion to anyone who can be sanctioned. Not only he couldn't play, but we didn't have time to work with anyone else."

It was a match to forget for Argentina as Bolivia took advantage of Messi's absence to heap pressure on Bauza.

Juan Carlos Arce and Marcelo Martins struck against a depleted Argentina, who dropped outside the automatic qualifying spots in CONMEBOL, down to fifth following Chile's win at home to Venezuela.

However, Bauza insisted he will continue to fight as he looks ahead to Russia 2018.

"We tried to get the lead in Bolivia, in the second half the team improved a bit," he said. "Bolivia won well. We have to think about what is coming, we are alive and desiring to qualify for the World Cup.

"We know this is going to be a fight and we will continue fighting.

"I'm not bothered by anything, nobody, or what they say. The fight will continue."