Upon the arrival of the Argentina nationwide staff in Venezuela, the customary fervor and anticipation envelop Lionel Messi, attracting dozens of enthusiastic followers who eagerly collect to welcome the staff.
Argentina arrive in Venezuela after Hurricane Milton scare_ as Brazil want upturn in kind
With Lionel Messi again after lacking the earlier two video games by harm, Argentina might be hoping to place their defeat to Colombia behind them and get again to successful methods on Thursday after they tackle Venezuela away within the ninth sport of South American World Cup 2026 qualifying.
Messi, 37, has missed the previous two 2026 World Cup qualifiers resulting from an ankle ligament harm suffered within the Copa America ultimate in opposition to Colombia in mid-July.
On the finish of August, after six weeks on the sidelines, Messi returned to Inter Miami and has been in good kind within the video games he has performed since being medically cleared.
Venezuela, the one South American staff by no means to have performed in a World Cup, is in sixth place with 10 factors on its tally, just like fifth-placed Brazil, which has a greater purpose distinction.
Argentina at the moment leads with 18 factors, with Colombia carefully following in second place after securing a 2-1 victory over the Albiceleste. Ecuador holds fourth place with 11 factors following a 1-0 win over Peru.
The highest six groups within the South American qualifiers will safe a direct spot within the World Cup. The seventh-placed staff should battle it out in a play-off in opposition to a staff from one other confederation for an opportunity to qualify.
The Brazil nationwide staff arrived in Santiago de Chile on the ninth evening, after their final coaching session in Sao Paulo.
Chile and Brazil meet on Thursday in a match the place each are obliged to win to keep away from issues on their technique to the 2026 World Cup.
Along with their poor run of kind, the 2 sides additionally share a squad stricken by accidents, which has added additional concern to an already troublesome situation.
Chile has struggled to seek out their toes and continues to be languishing on the second backside of the desk with simply 5 factors. They’ve misplaced 4 of their final 5 matches.
Brazil are in an uncomfortable fifth place with 10 factors within the desk. They need to enhance their efficiency, as solely the highest six groups will earn a direct ticket to the 2026 World Cup, which might be hosted by america, Mexico and Canada. The seventh-placed staff should play in a play-off.
