Doubts remain as to whether Lionel Messi will make it to the tournament hosted across the United States, Mexico and Canada, where he will hope to play aged 39

Argentina consolidated its position at the top of CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification table with a 1-1 away draw over Venezuela at the Estadio Monumental de Maturin in Maturin on Friday.

After missing Argentina's 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia, Lionel Messi will be available to play for La Albiceleste in their World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Bolivia.