Star forward Lionel Messi has made his much-anticipated return to the Argentina national team, joining the squad as they prepare for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Ecuador. Messi’s inclusion comes after his successful recovery from a recent muscle injury.
Following his recent muscle setback, the legendary captain has successfully returned to training with Inter Miami. Just last week, Messi demonstrated his readiness by playing a pivotal role in a 3-1 victory for his club against the LA Galaxy in the United States. This rejoining of the national squad marks a significant moment, especially after he was notably absent from Argentina’s fixtures in June due to similar injury concerns.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has named a formidable 31-man squad for these crucial South American qualifiers, blending seasoned international experience with promising young talent. The roster, which was initially announced on August 18, features several exciting new additions and youthful prospects, with the presence of Messi undoubtedly bolstering the team’s capabilities both on and off the field. Among the notable emerging talents are Claudio Echeverri from Manchester City, Alan Varela, a midfielder with Porto, and Franco Mastantuono, who has reportedly just completed a move to Real Madrid. Additionally, Jose Manuel Lopez, currently playing for Brazilian club Palmeiras, has received his first call-up to the national team.
Scaloni’s squad will first face Venezuela on September 4 at the iconic Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires. Following this home fixture, they will travel to Guayaquil to take on Ecuador five days later. According to information provided, Argentina has already secured its place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled to be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Here is the full list of players selected for Argentina’s 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign in South America:
**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, Julián Alvarez, Nicolas Gonzalez, Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Jose Manuel Lopez.
