Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has included Lionel Messi in his preliminary list for CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Ecuador on Sept. 4 and 9, respectively.

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Argentina 2026 World Cup Qualifiers Squad Confirmed for September: Messi Missing Key Midfielder. The Argentina national team returns in September for their two final 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier games taking on Venezuela and Ecuador.

Palmeiras striker Jose Manuel Lopez also received his first Argentina callup on Monday for World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Ecuador. Lopez caught the eye of coach Lionel Scaloni for his goal-scoring output at Palmeiras, where he joined in 2022 from Lanús. The center forward has 15 goals in 42 matches this year.