Preview for Argentina v Venezuela
Defending world champions Argentina play their final home qualifier for the 2026 tournament when they host a Venezuela team that will be desperate to pull off a shock in Buenos Aires.
Argentina have long since been home and hosed in qualifying for the 48-team tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Ten points clear at the top of the CONMEBOL qualifying group, La Albiceleste are assured of finishing first and may experiment with different players as they looked ahead to next year’s finals.
There are four uncapped players in the Argentina squad, including Manchester City’s Claudio Echeverri, who is on loan at Bayer Leverkusen.
Real Madrid’s Franco Mastantuono could gain more experience after earning his first cap in June. At the other end of the spectrum, Lionel Messi is likely to win his 194th cap.
All the jeopardy in this game concerns Venezuela, who occupy seventh spot and a place in the inter-confederation play-off as it stands.
They are a point ahead of eighth-placed Bolivia and four behind sixth-placed Colombia going into the final two qualifiers.
With Colombia hosting Bolivia in Barranquilla, Venezuela will be hoping for a draw in that fixture and a stunning win over Argentina to at least ensure their place in the play-offs and keep their hopes of sneaking into sixth spot alive going into the last round of fixtures.
And, having held Argentina to a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture, Venezuela will hold out hope of doing their bit.
Team news for Argentina v Venezuela
Enzo Fernandez misses out for Argentina due to suspension, with Lisandro Martinez unavailable due to injury.
Venezuela are without goalkeeper Jose Contreras due to injury, meaning Rafael Romo is likely to remain in goal for the visitors.
Predicted line-ups for Argentina v Venezuela
Argentina: E Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Mac Allister, Almada; Messi, L Martinez, Paz.
Venezuela: Romo; Aramburu, Navarro, Angel, Ferraresi; J Martinez, Casseres, Bello; D Martinez, Rondon, Soteldo
How to watch Argentina v Venezuela: TV and online streams
Argentina versus Venezuela kicks off at 12.30am UK time on Friday morning. It can be watched on Premier Sports 1 and streamed on the Premier Sports Player app.
