Argentina will host Venezuela in a 2026 World Cup qualifying match, which is the defending World Cup champions’ last scheduled home match in the foreseeable future.
Messi, 38, acknowledged the significance of the occasion in a recent postgame interview with Inter Miami last week.
“It’s going to be a very special game for me because it’s the last one in the qualifying round I don’t know if there will be friendlies or more games after that,” Messi said during a postgame interview with Apple TV after Inter Miami’s win against Orlando City in the Leagues Cup semifinals on Aug. 27.
“It’s a very special game, which is why my family will be there with me – my wife, my children, my parents, my siblings, and everyone else that can, including my wife’s whole family. And that’s how we’re going to experience it.”
“After that, as I said, I don’t know what will happen, but that’s our intention,” Messi added.
Argentina has already qualified for the 2026 World Cup to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, but Messi has yet to officially declare he will play in the tournament for the sixth time in his career.
Messi is under contract with Inter Miami through the end of the 2025 MLS season, with reported ongoing negotiations to sign an extension with the club.
Argentine national team coach Lionel Scaloni acknowledged the occasion during a press conference Wednesday, while adding the club would look to plan another match for Messi in Argentina when the time is right.
‘[Thursday] will be a beautiful, exciting game. Surely, it won’t be his last game in Argentina, and I saw that from the point of view that, if he decides it will be his last, we’ll make sure he gets to play another one,’ Scaloni said regarding Messi. ‘We’ll find the right moment, because he deserves it.’
When and where is the Argentina vs. Venezuela match?
The Sept. 4 match begins at 7:30 p.m. ET (8:30 p.m. in Argentina) at Mâs Monumental in Buenos Aires.
How to watch Argentina vs. Venezuela on Sept. 4?
The match will be broadcast on Universo and can be streamed on Fubo.
Watch Argentina vs. Venezuela on Fanatiz PPV
Is Messi going to play?
For the reasons listed above, it appears very likely Messi will play with Argentina against Venezuela.
When is the next time Messi will play with Argentina after Venezuela match?
Argentina will visit Ecuador on Sept. 9 to conclude Conmebol World Cup qualifying, but it’s possible Messi will return to South Florida as Inter Miami prepares for the last stretch of the 2025 MLS season.
Will Messi play with Argentina in October or November?
Messi could potentially participate in four more Argentina friendly matches later this year.
Argentina is planning to play two friendly matches in the United States between October 6-14 with locations and opponents to be determined. These friendlies would coincide with Inter Miami’s MLS season, potentially creating a scheduling conflict for Messi.
Argentina will also play two friendly matches between Nov. 10-18 in in Luanda, Angola, and Kerala, India with opponents to be determined. These friendlies would fall under a FIFA international window.
Messi’s upcoming schedule with Inter Miami and Argentina
- Sept. 4: Argentina vs. Venezuela (World Cup qualifying)
- Sept. 9: Ecuador vs. Argentina (World Cup qualifying)
- Sept. 13: Charlotte FC vs. Inter Miami, 7:30 p.m. (MLS regular season)
- Sept. 16: Inter Miami vs. Seattle Sounders, 7:30 p.m. (MLS regular season)
- Sept. 20: Inter Miami vs. D.C. United, 7:30 p.m. (MLS regular season)
- Sept. 24: New York City FC vs. Inter Miami, 7:30 p.m. (MLS regular season)
- Sept. 27: Toronto FC vs. Inter Miami, 4:30 p.m. (MLS regular season)
- Sept. 30: Inter Miami vs. Chicago Fire, 7:30 p.m. (MLS regular season)