Lionel Messi Included As Argentina Revamp Squad For 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

Last Updated:August 19, 2025, 12:11 IST

Argentina will face Venezuela at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires on September 4, followed by a match against Ecuador in Guayaquil five days later.

Lionel Messi during a training session. (AP Photo)

Argentina’s national team revealed a refreshed 31-man squad on Monday, led by Lionel Messi, for the South American qualifiers against Venezuela and Ecuador for the 2026 World Cup.

In addition to captain Messi, the squad includes several young Argentine talents, such as Manchester City striker Claudio Echeverri, Porto midfielder Alan Varela, and recent Real Madrid signing Franco Mastantuono.

Coach Lionel Scaloni has also called up striker Jose Manuel Lopez from Brazilian club Palmeiras for the first time.

Argentina will face Venezuela at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires on September 4, followed by a match against Ecuador in Guayaquil five days later.

Having already secured a place in the World Cup, the “Albiceleste" lead the qualifiers with 35 points, 10 points ahead of second-place Ecuador and third-place Brazil.

Argentina squad

Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez, Walter Benitez, and Geronimo Rulli

Defenders: Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Nahuel Molina, Gonzalo Montiel, Leonardo Balerdi, Juan Foyth, Nicolas Tagliafico, Marcos Acuna, Julio Soler, and Facundo Medina

Midfielders: Alexis Mac Allister, Exequiel Palacios, Alan Varela, Leandro Paredes, Thiago Almada, Nicolas Paz, Rodrigo De Paul, Giovani Lo Celso, and Valentin Carboni

Forwards: Claudio Echeverri, Franco Mastantuono, Giuliano Simeone, Angel Correa, Julian Alvarez, Nicolas Gonzalez, Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez, and Jose Manuel Lopez

With Reuters Inputs

Feroz Khan

Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience in digital...Read More

Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience in digital...

Read More

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Location :

Buenos Aires, Argentina

First Published:

August 19, 2025, 12:11 IST

News sports Lionel Messi Included As Argentina Revamp Squad For 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

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