Lionel Messi: The match against Venezuela could be his last for Argentina at home

The legendary forward of the Argentina national team, Lionel Messi, is considering the possibility that the World Cup qualifying match against Venezuela could be his last in the national team at home. This information was provided by ESPN.

"This will be a special, very special match for me, as it is the last of the qualifying matches in Argentina. I do not know if there will be any friendly matches or other meetings after this, but this is a very special match, and therefore my family will be with me: my wife, my children, my parents and my brothers. Everyone who can," said the 38-year-old Messi.

Argentines have already secured their spot in the 2026 World Cup, which will take place in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. The Argentina national team will play a home match against Venezuela on September 5, and on September 10 will head to an away match against Ecuador. In October, the Argentina national team will play two friendly matches in the USA. The game against Venezuela is scheduled for October 10, and the match against Puerto Rico will take place on October 13.

World Cup 2026 Qualifying Cycle

UEFA (Europe) will receive 16 spots. Qualifying matches in Europe will take place from March 2025 to March 2026 and will include two rounds.

First qualifying round: 12 groups of five or four teams will play from March to November 2025 in a group system. The 12 group winners will advance directly to the final stage.

12 teams that finish in second place, and the four best group winners of the Nations League that finish below second place, will participate in the playoff tournaments.

Second qualifying round: playoff tournaments in March 2026 will consist of single-match semifinals and finals. The 16 winners will be divided into four playoff paths, and four teams will receive tickets to the tournament.

World Cup 2026 Final Tournament

The 2026 World Cup will be the first in history to feature 48 teams. There will be 12 groups of four teams, with the top two and the eight best third-placed teams advancing to the Round of 16.

The matches of the 23rd World Cup will be held in 16 cities, including Toronto and Vancouver (Canada), Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Monterrey (Mexico), Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle (USA).

The opening of the World Cup will take place on June 11, 2026, in Mexico City, and the final match will take place in New York on July 19.

It should be noted that Russia was excluded from the draw for the World Cup qualifying.

During the match against Venezuela, Messi may make his last appearance for the Argentina national team before attending the 2026 World Cup as part of the secured team.