Thiago Almada has a chance to start for Argentina against Venezuela.

Almada could be starting for Argentina on Thursday. According to Gastón Edul, the 23 year old was playing in a four man midfield on Wednesday in training with Argentina and he has chances to start Thursday’s World Cup qualifier.

Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni tried a midfield of Almada, Gio Lo Celso, Enzo Fernández and Rodrigo De Paul. Almada’s last match with the Argentina national team was in June of 2023 in a 2-0 win vs. Indonesia.

Lionel Messi and Julián Álvarez are set to start for Argentina with Lautaro Martínez on the bench.

Messi returns to the Argentina national team and to the starting eleven against Venezuela on Thursday. According to Gastón Edul, Messi will start along with Julián Álvarez.

Lautaro Martínez will start on the bench for Argentina against Venezuela. Álvarez and Lautaro started both of Argentina’s last two World Cup qualifying matches.

Germán Pezzella could get the start for Argentina in place of Lisandro Martínez.

Pezzella could partner Nicolás Otamendi in the back line against Venezuela. According to Gastón Edul, the 33 year old has big chances of starting on Thursday.

The last time Pezzella started for the Argentina national team was in the 2-0 win vs. Peru at the Copa America. Argentina play Venezuela on Thursday before playing Bolivia on Tuesday.

Valentín Carboni suffered a trauma to his left knee this Wednesday and will be unavailable for the next two World Cup qualifying matches of Argentina.

The Olympique Marseille player joins the following list of players ruled out due to injury for Argentina’s squad in this double matchday: Marcos Acuña, Alejandro Garnacho, Paulo Dybala and Nicolás González. Additionally, Alexis Mac Allister is not 100% fit and will most likely miss the first match.

Argentina play Venezuela on Thursday, October 10 and on October 15 will play Bolivia.

The Argentina national team departed from Miami this Wednesday, hours ahead of Hurricane Milton approaching the east coast of Florida.

Despite the possibility of moving the match against Venezuela to Friday, the game will ultimately be played on Thursday as originally scheduled. The squad will have a layover in Barranquilla and the final arrival in Maturín.

The Albiceleste held its final training session in Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday morning. The practice at Inter Miami’s facility began shortly after 10 a.m. with mixed activities: some players worked on gym and mobility exercises, while others practiced rondos on the field. Following that, fitness coach Luis Martín pushed the group with speed, coordination, and flexibility drills, set up in three stations with hurdles and cones.

The second part of the training focused on football tactics, led by coach Lionel Scaloni. It started with a formal 11 vs 11 match, followed by set-piece execution, and to finish, two short sessions of small-sided games. (Via: AFA)