Lionel Messi may play his last match for Argentina at home: details.

According to inkorr.com: The legendary striker of the Argentine national team Lionel Messi is contemplating that the qualifying match for the World Cup against Venezuela may be his last home appearance in the national team jersey. This information was reported by ESPN.

"This will be a special, very special match for me, because it's the last of the qualifying matches in Argentina. I don't know if there will be any friendly matches or any other meetings after this, but this is a very special match, and that's why my family will be with me: my wife, my children, my parents, and my brothers. Everyone who can," said the 38-year-old Messi.

The Argentines have already secured their place in the 2026 World Cup, which will take place in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.

The Argentine national team will host a match against Venezuela on September 5, and on September 10, they will travel for a game against Ecuador.

In October, the Argentines will organize two friendly matches in the USA: against Venezuela on October 10 and against Puerto Rico on October 13.

World Cup 2026 Qualifying Round

UEFA (Europe) will ensure 16 places in the tournament. The qualifying matches in Europe will take place from March 2025 to March 2026 and will include two stages.

The first qualification stage: 12 groups of five or four teams will compete from March to November 2025 in a league format. 12 group winners will advance directly to the final tournament.

12 teams that finish in second place and four best teams from the Nations League that finish below second place will have the opportunity to participate in the playoffs.

The second qualification stage: The playoff tournaments in March 2026 will consist of one-match semifinals and finals. 16 winners will be divided into four playoff paths, and four teams will get tickets to the tournament.

World Cup 2026 Final Tournament

The 2026 World Cup will be the first to feature 48 teams. 12 groups of four national teams will be created, from which the two best teams and the eight best third-placed teams will advance to the Round of 16.

Matches of the 23rd World Cup will take place in 16 cities, including Toronto and Vancouver (Canada), Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Monterrey (Mexico), as well as Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle (USA).

The opening of the World Cup will take place on June 11, 2026, in Mexico City, and the final match will occur in New York on July 19.

It should be noted that Russia has been suspended from participating in the qualification draw for the World Cup.

Thus, the match against Venezuela may become Messi's last appearance for the Argentine national team before the 2026 World Cup, where he, along with the team, has already secured his participation. This event promises to be emotional, as fans eagerly await the opportunity to follow their idol's performances on the biggest football stage.