Argentina are on the brink of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as they hosts Venezuela in a crucial qualifier in Buenos Aires.

Lionel Scaloni will want his players to wrap up the qualifying phase in the current round of fixtures, and given Argentina’s dominant position on the table, it is all the more possible ahead of the game against Venezuela. The reigning World Champions are currently the runaway leaders on the table, with a 10-point gap separating them from second-placed Ecuador.

Should they win their two games in this round of fixtures, Argentina will confirm their ticket to the USA, although it’s imperative not to lose points at this juncture. They were on a four-game winning run before facing Colombia in the most recent qualifying game, where they were down to ten men and needed a late Thiago Almada equaliser to salvage a point.

Scaloni’s men are now hosting Venezuela in Buenos Aires, as the manager will demand a win to march towards confirming their place in the World Cup. The top six on the table is more or less confirmed, but it might be about a dominant finish at the top for Argentina.

Meanwhile, Venezuela are angling for a playoff spot at the end of their qualifying journey, as the top six is more or less set in action. The visitors are still only four points off sixth-placed Colombia, and there’s every chance for them to break into that top-six spot if things go their way.

With two games left to play, Venezuela now plays Argentina away and then hosts Colombia, which could potentially help them close out a seventh-placed finish. However, the big danger to their chances of making the playoff spot comes from eighth-placed Bolivia, who are currently only a single point behind them in the standings.

Team News & Tactics

Argentina

Lionel Scaloni is unlikely to take any chances in this game and will want to go with a strong lineup against Venezuela. He will also have star man and captain Lionel Messi fit and available for this fixture and hopefully for the final qualifying game.

Argentina are missing key midfielder Enzo Fernandez due to a suspension. Lisandro Martinez misses out with an injury, while Paulo Dybala and Matias Soule are not in the squad, which has allowed Scaloni to name Franco Mastantuono and Nico Paz in his group, with the latter likely to get a place in the starting lineup in a game of low pressure.

Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister and Almada could be the midfield trio for Argentina, while Paz could take his place on the left side of the attack. Lautaro Martinez and Messi will complete the front three, while Scaloni will have plenty of options on the bench to rotate in all departments.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Emiliano Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Mac Allister, Almada; Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Messi

Venezuela

Fernando Batista will once again be without first-choice keeperJose Contreras, meaning Rafael Romo should once again deputise between the sticks against this pivotal game against Argentina.

The manager is probably leaning towards naming an unchanged side from their loss to Uruguay in the most recent fixture.

However, the only possible absentee from the lineup in that game is Yangel Herrera, who was missing from action for Girona at the weekend against Sevilla. His absence could leave the manager to tweak his system a bit.

Eduard Bello could replace Herrera in the setup, which could see Batista revert to a 4-3-3, with Solomon Rondon leading the line for Venezuela against Argentina. He will have Yeferson Soltedo and David Martinez on either side of the front three.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3) – Romo; Aramburu, Ferraresi, Angel, Navarro; J Martinez, Casseres, Bello; D Martinez, Rondon, Soteldo

Key Stats

• Argentina are unbeaten in their last 5 games in qualifying.
• Argentina are 10 points clear of the nearest challengers, Ecuador and Brazil, respectively.
• Venezuela are only a point ahead of Bolivia in the race for the playoff spot.
• Venezuela have lost their last-6 away games in World Cup qualifying.

Player to Watch

Nico Paz

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The Argentine playmaker may have to play a slightly different role in the national side compared to his club, Como, where he features in the attacking midfield role. Under Scaloni, he will get the left-hand slot in the front three, and it’s up to him to adapt to the role.

The upcoming games against Venezuela and Ecuador allow Scaloni to select him and Mastantuono, with Paz likely to start in this one first. He has a big chance to make a big impact ahead of Scaloni selecting his final group for the World Cup later on, and should he continue to impress, there’s every chance the Como star makes the team for the US next year.

Prediction

Argentina 3-0 Venezuela

The visitors are one of the teams in the whole group under severe pressure to make something out of these qualifying rounds, especially the final two games. They are tasked with facing an Argentine side with the hope of winning this one to stand a strong chance to finish in the playoff spot, which will be very difficult.

Meanwhile, Argentina are confirmed for next year’s World Cup, and while they may have two more games to formalise their participation, Scaloni will want to end the campaign in style. They are widely expected to get a comfortable win over Venezuela and even keep a clean sheet.