Paraguay has made headlines after banning fans from wearing Argentina shirts and Messi’s number 10 shirt during a 2026 World Cup qualifier, in order to protect home advantage against the reigning world champions.

Ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifying match between Paraguay and Argentina on November 14, the Paraguayan Football Federation (APF) made a controversial decision to ban fans from wearing the visiting team Argentina’s jersey at the Defensores del Chaco stadium.

Fernando Villasboa – APF’s Licensing Director, explained the decision: ” We have warned that in local areas we will not allow the use of non-Paraguayan jerseys, or even neutral jerseys that are not those of the opponent”.

Paraguayan fans will not be allowed to wear Argentina national team shirts, especially those with Messi’s name on them.

Interestingly, however, the rule still allows fans to wear shirts of opposing clubs with the names of their players on them. This means that fans can wear Inter Miami shirts with Messi’s name on them, but they cannot wear his number 10 shirt for Argentina.

“This is not a problem for any player. We have great respect for all players’ careers. It’s just that home advantage is very important for us ,” Villasboa stressed.

This is not the first time Paraguay have implemented this rule. They implemented a similar measure in the match against Brazil last September. The rule will also be maintained in the upcoming matches against Chile and Colombia in March 2025.

Other shirts with Messi’s name printed on them are not banned, except for the Argentina national team shirt.

Argentina is leading the South American 2026 World Cup qualifying standings with 22 points after 10 matches, 3 points ahead of second-placed Colombia. Meanwhile, Paraguay is in 6th place and is in dire need of points to improve its position.

Lionel Messi, who finished the season with Inter Miami, will lead Argentina in this match. The 37-year-old striker was the top scorer in qualifying with six goals, including a hat-trick in a 6-0 win over Bolivia in October.

In 13 previous matches against Paraguay, Messi has scored 5 goals and had 6 assists, with a record of 6 wins, 5 draws and 2 losses.

Messi will play two matches with Argentina before the end of 2024.

When asked about his future with the national team, Messi told Sports Illustrated: ” I haven’t set any deadlines for my future, I’m just enjoying all this. I feel more emotional than ever and appreciate everyone’s feelings because I know these could be my last matches.”

Since making his debut for Argentina in 2005, Messi has made 189 appearances for his country, scoring 112 goals and helping the team win two Copa America titles and the 2022 World Cup. With this achievement, it is not difficult to understand why Paraguay has had to take special measures to limit the influence of this superstar, even if only from the stands.