Lionel Messi is getting ready for his closing World Cup qualifier as Argentina host Venezuela on the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires on Thursday. The 38-year-old captain, who has already secured a spot on the 2026 event with Argentina, described the event as “very particular,” together with his household set to be in attendance.
“It’s going to be my final qualifying match. I don’t know if there can be friendlies or extra matches after that,” mentioned the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner. Coach Lionel Scaloni added: “If it truly is the final qualifying match, we’ve got to take pleasure in it. It is going to be emotional and delightful.”
Argentina lead the South American standings with 35 factors, whereas Ecuador and Brazil have additionally booked their locations with 25 factors. Uruguay and Paraguay sit on 24 factors, Colombia on 22, and Venezuela stay in competition with 18 as they pursue a historic first World Cup look.
This qualifying cycle has been stuffed with drama, together with Colombia’s first-ever win over Brazil, Uruguay bidding farewell to Luis Suarez, and Ecuador overcoming a factors deduction to safe qualification. Brazil, in the meantime, endured a turbulent marketing campaign, altering coaches after a heavy loss to Argentina.
Thursday’s fixtures can be decisive, with Paraguay going through Ecuador, Uruguay taking up Peru, Colombia assembly Bolivia, Brazil internet hosting Chile, and Argentina celebrating Messi’s farewell in opposition to Venezuela. If spots stay undecided, the ultimate spherical on September 9 will decide the final computerized qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the US.
