Nov 13 (Reuters) - Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni is confident there will be Lionel Messi jerseys in the home section despite the Paraguayan Football Association's (APF) ban on rival shirts ahead of Thursday's South American World Cup 2026 qualifier.

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has opened up on Paraguay's Lionel Messi shirt ban ahead of the international game.

World champions Argentina suffered a 2-1 defeat to Paraguay while rivals Brazil were held to a 1-1 draw at Venezuela as South America's big guns struggled in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying on Thursday.

Paraguayan Football Association manager Fernando Villasboa warned the home crowd to wear only Paraguayan shirts to the match.

In a surprising move ahead of Argentina’s clash with Paraguay, authorities have banned fans from wearing Lionel Messi jerseys in the stadium.

Fans wearing any version of a soccer jersey bearing the megastar's name will be denied entry to the upcoming match.

Lionel Scaloni says “there will be Argentina shirts” in the home end when Lionel Messi and Co face Paraguay, with fans expected to defy a ban.