Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said on Wednesday he had yet to decide whether captain Lionel Messi would start in their next World Cup qualifier against Chile, as he continues to closely monitor the 37-year-old's fitness.

With their place at the 2026 World Cup already secured, Argentina, who lead the South American qualifying standings, travel to face bottom-placed Chile on Thursday without several regulars and with Messi's role uncertain.

"We've been in contact (with Messi) recently. We haven't decided yet whether he'll play from the start or not. It would be good to know how he's feeling physically," Scaloni told reporters.

"It's clear that today we're in a position to try other things. In principle, he's available to play, and we'll decide later."

With a number of key players sidelined by injury or suspension, Scaloni called it a chance to test new talent ahead of their World Cup title defence next summer in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

"We're going to have a lot of players out. If some of the guys we call up are fit and ready to play, they'll get their chance," he said.

"I don't have the starting eleven confirmed yet, but we will give some playing time to players who haven't played much and who we believe are ready to play.

"Although the result is always important, we don't think it's crucial today. We'll probably try to help these players settle in and give them the chance to get some playing time with the team."