Argentina’s national team coach, Lionel Scaloni, has announced a 27-player squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Bolivia. The big news is Lionel Messi’s return to the team. Argentina is on top of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying table with 18 points after eight matches. They secured a solid 3-0 victory against Chile but suffered a 2-1 defeat to Colombia in their last two games.
Messi Back in Argentina’s Squad
La Albiceleste will take on sixth-place Venezuela away on October 10 and will welcome eighth-place Bolivia at home on October 15. The best six teams from CONMEBOL will go straight to the 2026 World Cup. The team finishing in seventh place will have to fight for a spot in a playoff against teams from other confederations.
The Inter Miami captain, Messi, is back with the national team after missing action due to a right ankle injury he picked up in the 2024 Copa América final against Colombia on July 14. Messi was out of action for two months, which meant he missed the international matches in September. He made his comeback for Inter Miami on September 14 and has been on the pitch for every match since, working to find his rhythm ahead of the October window. Messi scored twice for Inter Miami against Columbus to help lift the MLS Supporters Shield.
No Di Maria and Martinez for Argentina
Although Messi is back with Argentina, Benfica’s Ángel Di María will not be with the Argentina squad as the 36-year-old announced his retirement from the national team after the Copa America. Another absentee is Aston Villa’s goalkeeper Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez. The 32-year-old has been handed a two-match ban by FIFA’s disciplinary committee for showing unsportsmanlike conduct and breaking the rules of fair play.
FIFA has determined that Martínez broke the code of conduct by holding the replica of the Copa América trophy near his groin. This act referenced his celebration during the 2022 FIFA World Cup following the win against Chile on September 5. The goalie then faced consequences for pushing a camera operator’s equipment after Argentina lost 2-1 to Colombia on September 10. Martinez shared his thoughts on X, saying:
“I accept the sanction of the @FIFAcom and I apologize if I offended anyone, the moment of celebration is to make many kids smile and not to disrespect anyone. I will support my friends on this FIFA date with the pain of not being able to be there.”
The Argentine Football Federation (AFA) stated that the player and the association put forward a defense before FIFA finalized its decision.
“It should be noted that the Argentine Football Association expresses its absolute disagreement with the decision taken by the FIFA disciplinary committee,” AFA said in a statement.
Argentina Selected Squad
Goalkeepers: Gerónimo Rulli, Walter Benítez, Juan Musso.
Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel, Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Nicolás Otamendi, Germán Pezzella, Leonardo Balerdi, Marcos Acuña, Nicolás Tagliafico.
Midfielders: Enzo Fernández, Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes, Giovani Lo Celso, Thiago Almada, Alexis Mac Allister, Exequiel Palacios, Nico Paz.
Forwards: Valentin Carboni, Nicolas Gonzalez, Alejandro Garnacho, Julián Álvarez, Lautaro Martínez, Paulo Dybala, Lionel Messi.
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