CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying gets back underway in what has been a topsy turvy run so far for South American teams through eight rounds of play. Lionel Messi will return for Argentina with the team still in first place during qualifying but Colombia and Uruguay are hot on their heels.

Lionel Messi returns for the defending FIFA champions Argentina as the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying leaders hit the road to visit Venezuela hoping to retain their slim advantage atop the standings.

Lionel Messi is expected to start for the world champions as they look to book their place at the 2026 World Cup in the US, Mexico and Canada.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni expressed concern on Tuesday over his team's ability to travel for their World Cup qualifying match against Venezuela on Oct. 10 in Maturín, Venezuela.

Lionel Scaloni's Argentina squad finally arrived in Maturin, Venezuela late on Wednesday night ahead of Thursday's World Cup qualification match after preparations were rocked by travel chaos.

Argentina visits Venezuela looking to maintain the top spot in the CONMEBOL 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Manager Lionel Scaloni announced his 27 man squad for the upcoming games, unfortunately for him a number of players were ruled out with injuries.

The Argentine national team is currently training in Miami as a result of a political conflict between Venezuela and Argentina, but the emergence of Hurricane Milton leaves doubt that the match could even take place.