The 38-year-old Lionel Messi will again captain Argentina as they close out CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying. Fully recovered from a recent muscle injury, Messi has been in prolific form for his club Inter Miami, tallying 18 goals and 10 assists in just 17 matches this season. This marks the first time Messi leads Argentina after securing qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Coach Lionel Scaloni insists the team can perform “in the same way with Leo or without Leo,” but acknowledges that having his superstar fit is a “major boost” for the reigning world champions.
As Fox Sports notes, the September roster is “led by 38-year-old captain Messi”, reflecting how central the Barcelona legend remains to Argentina’s plans.
Under Messi’s captaincy, Argentina has already secured qualification alongside 13 other teams in the qualification round.
Messi Leads Argentina – Updated Argentina Squad
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Real Madrid’s new signing, Franco Mastantuono, is among the exciting young talents called into the squad. The 21-year-old winger joins fellow prospects Claudio Echeverri (Manchester City) and Palmeiras striker José Manuel “Flaco” López – the latter earning his first call-up.
Midfield inclusion Alan Varela of Porto replaces Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández (suspended), and veteran left-back Marcos Acuña has returned after injury.
Seasoned stars like Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool) and Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami) remain in the lineup, ensuring a mix of experience and youth.
In total, Scaloni named a 31-man roster (three goalkeepers and 28 outfield players) that balances World Cup-winning veterans with fresh faces.
Injuries and Absences
Some familiar names are missing from the list. Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho is notably absent this window. Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández will sit out the September games due to a two-match suspension, and Atlético Madrid’s Nahuel Molina is also unavailable.
River Plate right-back Gonzalo Montiel remains sidelined with a muscle tear, and veteran forward Paulo Dybala is still recovering from surgery.
Scaloni has stressed that only fully fit players will make the final cut, noting that “only those who are 100% ready – both physically and mentally – will be part of the final list”.
Qualification Status
With qualification already secured, Argentina enters the September doubleheader atop the CONMEBOL table. They lead the standings with 35 points, a full 10 points clear of Ecuador in second place (and also ahead of Brazil).
In fact, Argentina wrapped up 2026 World Cup qualification back in March – becoming the first South American team to book its berth after a 4-1 win over Brazil.
Their lead is so secure that even two losses wouldn’t knock them out of first place. Sports Illustrated notes, “Even if Argentina were to lose both games against Venezuela and Ecuador, their position as standings toppers would not be in jeopardy.”
This secure position allows Scaloni to focus on preparation and experimentation rather than points.
Upcoming Fixtures and Context – Messi Leads Argentina Team
Argentina vs Venezuela
(Buenos Aires, Sept. 4)
Argentina will host Venezuela at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires on September 4. The Venezuelans have struggled in recent campaigns and sit near the bottom of the qualifying table, making them a comparatively light opponent. Still, World Cup qualifying is never easy: Venezuela will travel south, aiming to salvage points.
Argentina enjoys a strong advantage playing at home in front of their fans, aiming for a confidence-boosting win ahead of their trip to Ecuador.
Ecuador vs Argentina
(Guayaquil, Sept. 9)
Five days later, the team will travel to Ecuador for a Sept. 9 showdown in Guayaquil. Ecuador lie second in the standings, 10 points behind Argentina, and are traditionally difficult opponents – especially at altitude. However, this match will be played at sea level in Guayaquil, somewhat easing the challenge.
Ecuador will still pose a significant test, as they will want to close the gap on Argentina in the standings. Argentina’s players and staff will be mindful that any full-strength Ecuador team can be dangerous, but Scaloni’s side will be confident given their form and talent.
Coach Scaloni’s Perspective
Scaloni noted that these final qualifiers offer both an opportunity and a challenge. With some key players unavailable due to injury or suspension, he said Argentina could take this chance to try out new options. He emphasised that while the result is always important, it’s not crucial at the moment since their World Cup spot is already secured.
He assured that he would “give some playing time to players who haven’t played much and who we believe are ready to play,” striking a balance between competitiveness and squad growth. Meanwhile, Scaloni is closely monitoring Messi’s condition, stating in June, “We haven’t decided yet whether he’ll play from the start or not. It would be good to know how he’s feeling physically.“
In short, Scaloni is rotating the squad and managing workload carefully, but makes no secret of counting on Messi’s leadership to guide Argentina through these remaining games.
Argentina squad World Cup Qualifiers for Venezuela & Ecuador
- 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, Julián Alvarez, Nicolas Gonzalez, Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez and Jose Manuel Lopez
