Argentina welcomes Venezuela to Buenos Aires on Thursday night in a World Cup qualifier that carries very different stakes for each side.
Lionel Scaloni’s men have already strolled through South America’s notoriously unforgiving campaign, sitting top of the table with 35 points from 16 games. A draw with Colombia last time out may have snapped their winning run, but the Albiceleste still look untouchable, boasting clean sheets in five home qualifiers and a deep pool of attacking threats.
Fresh off a 3-0 win in the last home meeting with Venezuela, Argentina will be expected to deliver another routine performance.
For La Vinotinto, though, the picture is far more tense. Fernando Batista’s side remains locked in a fight with Bolivia for the playoff spot, with just a single point separating the two. Their away form makes for grim reading: six straight defeats on the road.
However, Venezuela did manage to hold Argentina to a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture, proving that they can frustrate. With Bolivia facing Colombia and then Brazil, Venezuela knows this campaign will likely be decided on the final matchday when they host Colombia, but even a battling display here could carry weight.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times, and the latest lineup news.
Argentina vs. Venezuela live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this World Cup qualifier in the U.S.:
TV channel: Telemundo, Universo
Live stream: Fubo, Peacock, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, ViX
This game is available for live TV broadcast on Telemundo and Universo (Spanish), with streaming on Fubo, Peacock, ViX, and Telemundo Deportes En Vivo (all Spanish), and no English broadcast available.
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What time does Argentina vs. Venezuela kick off?
This World Cup qualifier takes place at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, Argentina and kicks off on Thursday, September 4 at 8:30 p.m. local time.
Here's how that time translates across the U.S.:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| Eastern Time | Thu, Sep. 4 | 7:30 p.m. |
| Central Time | Thu, Sep. 4 | 6:30 p.m. |
| Mountain Time | Thu, Sep. 4 | 5:30 p.m. |
| Pacific Time | Thu, Sep. 4 | 4:30 p.m. |
Argentina vs. Venezuela lineups, team news
Argentina have already sealed top spot in their qualifying group which gives Lionel Scaloni room to test some younger faces while also keeping his mainstays involved.
Lionel Messi would start in what is expected to be his last World Cup Qualifier game at home.
Rodrigo De Paul will remain a trusted figure in midfield despite his recent move to MLS.
Enzo Fernandez is suspended and misses out while Lisandro Martinez is injured and will not play a part and while Paulo Dybala and Matias Soule was overlooked in attack.
Youngsters such as Nico Paz, Franco Mastantuono and Claudio Echeverri are included in the squad and could be handed valuable minutes as Scaloni looks to balance experience with development.
Facundo Medina remains sidelined with an ankle injury and Angel Correa was surprisingly not selected despite strong club form.
Nicolas Otamendi and Cristian Romero should continue together in defense, with Emiliano Martinez certain to start in goal.
Argentina predicted lineup (4-3-3, right to left): E Martinez (GK) — Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico — De Paul, Mac Allister, Almada — Messi, Alvarez, Paz
Argentina full roster
Goalkeepers: Walter Benitez (Crystal Palace), Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Geronimo Rulli (Olympique Marseille)
Defenders: Marcos Acuna (River), Leonardo Balerdi (Olympique Marseille), Juan Foyth (Villarreal), Nahuel Molina (Atletico de Madrid), Gonzalo Montiel (River), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), Cristian Romero (Tottenham), Julio Soler (Bournemouth), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon)
Midfielders: Thiago Almada (Lyon), Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami), Claudio Echeverri (Manchester City), Giovani Lo Celso (Betis), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Leandro Paredes (Boca Juniors), Nicolás Paz (Como), Giuliano Simeone (Atletico de Madrid), Alan Varela (Porto), Nicolas Gonzalez (Juventus)
Forwards: Julian Alvarez (Atlético de Madrid), Juan Manuel Lopez (Palmeiras), Lautaro Martinez (Inter), Franco Mastantuono (River Plate), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)
Venezuela arrive at this international window with injury concerns that force manager Fernando Batista into some adjustments.
First-choice goalkeeper Jose Contreras is sidelined once again, meaning Rafael Romo could start..
The defensive setup is expected to see some long term players Nahuel Ferraresi, Miguel Navarro in the setup.
The midfield will miss the presence of Girona’s Yangel Herrera, who suffered hamstring injury and faces several weeks out.
Jhonder Cadiz also drops out of contention with a foot fracture, while Jose Martínez has undergone surgery on a hand injury.
That leaves Cristian Cásseres Jr. and José Martínez as the likely midfield pairing.
Salomon Rondon is expected to lead the line with Yeferson Soteldo providing support up front.
Venezuela predicted XI (4-3-3, right to left): Romo (GK) — Aramburu, Navarro, Angel, Ferraresi — J Martinez, Casseres, Bello — D Martinez, Rondon, Soteldo
Venezuela full roster
Goalkeepers: Rafael Romo (Catholic University), Wuilker Farinez (Golden Eagles), Alain Baroja (Club Always Ready), Cristopher Varela (Deportivo La Guaira)
Defenders: Jon Aramburu (Real Sociedad), Alexander Gonzalez (CS Emelec), Nahuel Ferraresi (Sao Paulo FC), Josua Mejias (Debreceni Vasutas SC), Jhon Chancellor (Catholic University of Ecuador), Wilker Ángel (EC Juventude), Christian Makoun (PFC Levski Sofia), Carlos Vivas (CD La Equidad), Miguel Navarro (CA Talleres), Ronald Hernández (Atlanta United FC)
Midfielders: Carlos Faya (Deportivo La Guaira), Jose Martinez (SC Corinthians), Tomas Rincon (Santos FC), Cristian Casseres (Toulouse FC), Leonardo Flores (Atletico Bucaramanga), Daniel Pereira (Austin FC), Jorge Yriarte (WKS Slask Wrocław), Eduard Bello (Catholic University), David Martínez (Los Angeles FC), Jefferson Savarino (Botafogo), Telasco Segovia (Inter Miami CF), Yeferson Soteldo (Fluminense FC), Gleiker Mendoza (FC Kryvbas), Jhon Murillo (America de Cali), Matías Lacava (Ulsan Hyundai)
Forwards: Salomon Rondon (Real Oviedo), Kevin Kelsy (Portland Timbers), Josef Martínez (SJ Earthquakes)
World Cup qualifier fixture schedule this week
All times ET
Thursday, September 4
- Argentina vs. Venezuela (7:30 p.m.)
- Colombia vs. Bolivia (7:30 p.m.)
- Paraguay vs. Ecuador (7:30 p.m.)
- Uruguay vs. Peru (7:30 p.m.)
- Brazil vs. Chile (8:30 p.m.)
Tuesday, September 9
- Ecuador vs. Argentina (7:00 p.m.)
- Bolivia vs. Brazil (7:30 p.m.)
- Chile vs. Uruguay (7:30 p.m.)
- Peru vs. Paraguay (7:30 p.m.)
- Venezuela vs. Colombia (7:30 p.m.)