Lionel Messi is already gearing up for the 2026 World Cup with Argentina in what is expected to be his final major tournament with the national team. As part of their preparation with less than a year to go before kickoff, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) has confirmed the team’s final 2025 schedule, which includes a return to the United States.
After an impressive campaign in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying, Argentina has already secured its spot in the tournament by finishing on top with 35 points. Only two qualifiers remain, with games scheduled for September against Venezuela at home on the 4th and Ecuador away on the 9th. Beyond those fixtures, the rest of Argentina’s 2025 calendar has now been unveiled.
The AFA announced on its official website that Messi and Argentina will spend the October international window on a U.S. tour from the 6th to the 14th. However, neither the opponents nor the venues for the two games in that window have been determined.
Argentina will wrap up 2025 in November, but this time outside the Americas. During the international break from the 10th to the 18th, the Albiceleste will play one match in Luanda, Angola, and another in Kerala, India, with both opponents still to be confirmed.
Mexico ruled out as opponent
Earlier in August, reports suggested Argentina would face Mexico in Chicago during the October U.S. tour. But those rumors were quickly dismissed by the authorities involved.
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Speaking at a press conference, Mexican Football Federation (FMF) president Ivar Sisniega denied the speculation. “The Argentina thing is not true. It was something someone mentioned, and it got some traction, but there’s no truth to it. We’re not planning to play Argentina,” Sisniega said, shutting down the speculation entirely.
So far, Argentina’s only confirmed opponents remain those tied to CONMEBOL qualifiers. With just a few months left in 2025, the door is still open for Messi to play some of his final matches in the famous Albiceleste jersey.
