Argentina have already secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup after an outstanding campaign in the qualifiers. However, two crucial matchdays remain, which will be decisive for their rivals. In their final fixtures of the qualifiers, Argentina will face Venezuela and Ecuador. Head coach Lionel Scaloni has already announced his squad list, with Lionel Messi making his return.
It marks Messi’s comeback to the Argentina national team after missing one of the previous qualifier windows due to an injury that kept him sidelined. The captain now returns fully recovered and is expected to bring his trademark intensity and determination as the team closes out the qualifying campaign, although he did feature for a few minutes in the last match against Colombia.
Argentina will likely test new players in these matches to expand their options heading into the next World Cup, which could also prove advantageous for their opponents. Venezuela need a victory against Argentina to keep their hopes of direct qualification alive, or at the very least, secure a crucial result. For now, they sit seventh, holding a playoff spot.
Ecuador, on the other hand, are already mathematically qualified and sit second behind Argentina. They will look to close their campaign in style with a win while also measuring themselves in what could be a preview of their potential at the next World Cup. Ecuador have been one of the toughest teams for Lionel Scaloni’s side to face.
Who is the big absentee from the squad list?
Even though Argentina will have their captain back in the lineup, Scaloni faces a major setback with the absence of Enzo Fernandez. The Chelsea midfielder, a World Cup winner in 2022, has been left out of the squad in a surprising development.
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However, the decision is not due to performance or personal reasons. According to journalist Gaston Edul, Fernandez is unavailable because he must serve a two-match suspension after being sent off against Colombia for a harsh tackle on Kevin Castano.
The reigning world champions will fight for victories as they always do, but the task becomes more complicated without one of their most important midfielders. That said, Scaloni has depth to cover the loss, with options like Exequiel Palacios, Alan Varela, Leandro Paredes, Giovani Lo Celso, or even younger, more creative profiles such as Claudio Echeverri, Franco Mastantuono, and Thiago Almada. The final decision remains in the coach’s hands.
