Lionel Messi Set to Return to International Duty as South America’s World Cup Qualifiers Begin
Montevideo, Uruguay – After a sensational start to his Major League Soccer career, Lionel Messi is set to represent Argentina in the beginning stages of South America’s qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup on September 7th.
Nine months ago, Messi led Argentina to victory in the World Cup in Qatar, solidifying his status as one of the greatest players of his generation. Since then, the 36-year-old superstar has experienced a period of change. Following his departure from Paris Saint-Germain, Messi was courted by Saudi Arabia but ultimately decided to embark on a new chapter with Inter Miami.
This move has proven to be a wise decision, with Messi and his family seamlessly settling into Florida and achieving success on the field. Inter Miami secured their first silverware and reached the US Open Cup final under Messi’s leadership.
Gerard “Tata” Martino, the former Argentina and Barcelona player who now coaches Inter Miami, believes that Messi has been liberated by finally guiding Argentina to a World Cup victory last year after several near-misses in major championships.
However, as South America’s qualifying campaign commences this week, the question remains whether Messi will be a part of Argentina’s title defense in 2026 when the tournament is co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Messi previously suggested in June that he did not expect to play in the 2026 finals. However, in a July interview, he admitted to having no clear timeline for retiring from international football.
Argentina’s World Cup-winning manager, Lionel Scaloni, is not pressuring Messi to make a decision. Scaloni has stated that a place in the 2026 squad will be available to Messi if he desires it. “I think Messi can get to the next World Cup,” said Scaloni in January. “It will depend a lot on what he wants, on whether he feels good. The door will always be open. He is happy on the pitch, and it would be very nice for us.”
While uncertainties persist regarding Messi’s future, Argentina’s qualification prospects for the World Cup are significantly more certain. The expanded 48-team finals in 2026 mean that six out of the ten teams competing in South American qualifying will automatically qualify for the finals. The seventh-place team will advance to a playoff.
Given Argentina’s strength, it would require a significant upset for them to fail to secure automatic qualification for 2026. Messi and Argentina will kick off their qualifying journey with a home fixture against Ecuador at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires on Thursday, before facing Bolivia in La Paz next Tuesday.
Other matches on Thursday include Paraguay vs. Peru and Colombia vs. Venezuela. On Friday, Uruguay will face Chile in Montevideo, while five-time World Cup winners Brazil make their entrance against Bolivia in Belem.
Brazil’s qualification preparations have been turbulent, with a new manager, Fernando Diniz, taking charge following the team’s World Cup quarterfinal exit to Croatia last year. Whether Diniz will lead Brazil to the finals remains uncertain, as the South Americans are reportedly targeting Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti for the role.
Further complicating Brazil’s preparations, Manchester United winger Antony was dropped from the squad due to assault allegations made by an ex-girlfriend. Antony denies the claims and has been replaced by Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus.
