Lionel Messi’s Argentina Set to Face Opponent for October Friendly in the US Ahead of 2026 World Cup

After helping Inter Miami reach the Leagues Cup final with two goals, Lionel Messi will return to international play. Argentina’s national team has scheduled a friendly against Venezuela in the U.S. this October, alongside their World Cup qualifiers, according to insider Gaston Edul.

Edul shared on his X account (formerly Twitter) that Argentina will take on Venezuela between October 10–14 during their U.S. tour. The exact location is yet to be confirmed, but cities like Chicago and New Jersey are considered potential venues.

Interestingly, Venezuela will also challenge Argentina in a World Cup qualifier on September 4, which holds special significance for Messi as it will be his last qualifier played in Argentina.

“Yes, it’s going to be special, a very special match for me because it’s the last qualifier game,” Messi said to journalist Antonella Gonzalez after Inter Miami’s victory over Orlando City in the Leagues Cup semifinals.

Puerto Rico could be second opponent

Although Argentina’s second friendly in the U.S. isn’t officially announced yet, the Puerto Rican national team confirmed they will play against Messi’s squad this fall.

“The match is set for Monday, October 13, at Soldier Field in Chicago, with a capacity of 61,500,” the Puerto Rican federation stated.

If this match is confirmed, Argentina’s game against Venezuela is likely to occur in New Jersey, as previously reported by Edul. However, no official word has come from Argentina’s team regarding the second match.

Gianni Taina is a bilingual journalist, fluent in English and Spanish, with expertise in soccer, the NBA, and tennis. He began his professional journey in 2020 with Mundo Deportivo US, establishing himself as a writer. Gianni has reported on major sports events like the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the NBA Finals, and Grand Slam tournaments such as the French Open. His ability to cover real-time events under pressure has made him an asset to a leading team of journalists. In 2024, he joined Bolavip US, continuing his coverage of various sports, including European soccer, MLS, and the NBA.