Football superstar Lionel Messi has made his much-anticipated return to the Argentina national team squad, gearing up for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The reigning world champions are set to face Venezuela and Ecuador in their latest South American qualifying fixtures. Messi’s inclusion marks his comeback after a recent muscle injury, a welcome boost for La Albiceleste.
The 31-man squad, officially announced on August 18, features a strategic blend of seasoned veterans and exciting new talents. Coach Lionel Scaloni has opted for a diverse selection, combining established international players with promising young prospects who have recently made waves in their respective clubs.
Among the notable emerging talents called up for these crucial matches are Manchester City’s attacking midfielder Claudio Echeverri, Porto midfielder Alan Varela, and Franco Mastantuono, who recently secured a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid. Scaloni has also extended an invitation to Jose Manuel Lopez from Brazilian club Palmeiras, marking his first call-up to the senior national squad, showcasing the coach’s commitment to nurturing future stars.
Messi’s return to international duty follows a period of recovery and rehabilitation from a muscle injury. He has recently resumed full training with his club, Inter Miami, and made a triumphant return to action last week, helping his team secure a decisive 3-1 victory over LA Galaxy in a key Major League Soccer fixture. The 38-year-old captain had previously been sidelined due to a similar injury, causing him to miss Argentina’s matches against Colombia. His current fitness is a positive sign as Argentina navigates the demanding qualifying campaign.
Argentina’s schedule for the qualifiers begins with a match against Venezuela. This encounter will take place at the historic Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires on September 4. Five days later, the squad will travel to Guayaquil to face Ecuador in their second qualifying fixture.
These matches are integral to Argentina’s journey to secure a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. As current World Cup holders, Argentina will be looking to maintain their strong form and solidify their position in the CONMEBOL standings.
The full list of players called up for Argentina’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches is as follows:
**Goalkeepers:**
Emiliano Martinez, Walter Benitez, Geronimo Rulli
**Defenders:**
Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Nahuel Molina, Gonzalo Montiel, Leonardo Balerdi, Juan Foyth, Nicolas Tagliafico, Marcos Acuna, Julio Soler, Facundo Medina
**Midfielders:**
Alexis Mac Allister, Exequiel Palacios, Alan Varela, Leandro Paredes, Thiago Almada, Nicolas Paz, Rodrigo de Paul, Giovani Lo Celso, Valentin Carboni
**Forwards:**
Claudio Echeverri, Franco Mastantuono, Giuliano Simeone, Angel Correa, Julian Alvarez, Nicolas Gonzalez, Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Jose Manuel Lopez
