Argentina’s national team head coach Lionel Scaloni has unveiled the 27-player roster for the October World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Bolivia, with Lionel Messi’s return headlining the squad news.
Argentina currently lead the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying standings with 18 points in eight games, winning 3-0 over Chile and falling 2-1 to Colombia during the last window.
La Albiceleste will now visit sixth-place Venezuela on Oct. 10 and host eighth-place Bolivia on October 15.
The top six teams from CONMEBOL will qualify directly to the 2026 World Cup, with seventh place set to participate in an inter confederation playoff match for a chance to clinch a ticket to the competition.
The Inter Miami captain returns to international duty for the first time since suffering a right ankle injury during the 2024 Copa América final against Colombia on July 14.
Messi consequently spent two months on the sidelines, missing the September international window.
He however returned to action for Inter Miami on Sept. 14 and has played in every game since to slowly gain rhythm in time for the October window.
