Argentina vs. Venezuela: A Farewell to Messi and a Fight for World Cup Dreams

Buenos Aires, Argentina – The football world turns its gaze to River Plate’s Estadio Mâs Monumental this Thursday as reigning World Cup champions Argentina host Venezuela in a critical 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier. While La Albiceleste have already secured their ticket to the global showpiece, this match carries immense weight for both sides, albeit for very different reasons.

For Argentina, this fixture is set to be a momentous, emotional occasion. It is widely expected to be Lionel Messi’s final official home World Cup qualifier with La Albiceleste, a fact the maestro himself has acknowledged. The iconic Monumental will undoubtedly be a cauldron of emotion, packed with tens of thousands of adoring fans eager to celebrate their hero one last time on home soil in this context.

Venezuela’s Crucial Battle for Playoff Spot

Conversely, for Fernando Batista’s Venezuela, this match is nothing short of a do-or-die encounter. Currently occupying the final intercontinental playoff berth, La Vinotinto holds a slender one-point lead over Bolivia. These next two qualifiers will determine if they earn a chance to compete for their first-ever World Cup appearance, adding an electrifying tension to the proceedings.

Match Details: Kick-off Time and Venue

• Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Stadium: Estadio Mâs Monumental
• Date: Thursday, September 4
• Kick-off Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT / 12:30 a.m. BST (Sept. 5)
• Referee: Piero Maza

How to Watch Argentina vs. Venezuela: TV and Live Stream Information

Fans across the globe have multiple options to catch this thrilling encounter:

United States Viewers:

A variety of platforms will broadcast the match. English commentary will be available via Peacock and fuboTV. For those preferring Spanish, UNIVERSO, Telemundo, and ViX will carry the broadcast. Subscribe for Insight, Analysis and More from SI FC.

United Kingdom Viewers:

For dedicated fans willing to stay up past midnight, Premier Sports 1 will broadcast the match.

Mexico Viewers:

Subscribers can tune in via ViX Premium and Amazon Prime Video.

What’s Next for Argentina?

Following this emotional home fixture against Venezuela, La Albiceleste will travel to face already-qualified Ecuador at the Estadio Monumental Banco Pichincha on September 9. It remains uncertain if Messi will feature in that away game, or if he intends for the Venezuela match to be his definitive final World Cup qualifier appearance.

This match against Ecuador will bring Argentina’s current World Cup qualifying journey to a close, concluding their September international commitments. However, Lionel Scaloni’s squad will reconvene in the October international break for friendly matches against Venezuela and Puerto Rico, continuing their preparations for the defense of their World Cup crown.

Roberto Casillas is a Sports Illustrated FC freelance writer covering Liga MX, the Mexican National Team & Latin American players in Europe. He is a die hard Cruz Azul and Chelsea fan.