SAO PAULO — Lionel Messi and Luiz Suárez, shut buddies and former teammates at Barcelona, will renew their on-the-field rivalry on Thursday in World Cup qualifying.

Messi, who seems to have recovered from a muscle damage in his leg, led Argentina to its third World Cup title final 12 months and has his group in first place within the South American qualifying group for the 2026 event. The 36-year-old Suárez has simply returned to Uruguay’s nationwide group as he nears the tip of a high-scoring season within the Brazilian league.

The Argentines will tackle two-time World Cup champion Uruguay at La Bombonera Stadium in Buenos Aires.

Also Thursday, Brazil will journey to face Colombia in Barranquilla because it tries to recuperate from a house draw with Venezuela and a loss at Uruguay in its earlier two qualifying matches. Brazil coach Fernando Diniz, who lately gained the Copa Libertadores with Fluminense, might use teenager Endrick after calling him up for the primary time.

Argentina leads the 10-team South American qualifying group with 12 factors from 4 matches. Uruguay, Brazil and Venezuela have seven factors every and are separated by objective distinction. Colombia has six factors, whereas Ecuador, Paraguay and Chile have 4 every. Peru has one level and Bolivia has zero.

The subsequent World Cup within the United States, Mexico and Canada will embrace 48 groups, which means direct entry for the highest six groups in South America. The seventh-place group will contest an intercontinental playoff for a berth.

Messi will seemingly be taking part in his final two matches of the calendar 12 months in opposition to Uruguay after which Brazil subsequent week on the Maracana Stadium. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner completed his season with Inter Miami on Oct. 21.

Suárez, a teammate of Messi at Barcelona from 2014-20, will return to Uruguay’s nationwide group for the primary time underneath coach Marcelo Bielsa. The veteran striker earned his place regardless of knee ache, which he doesn’t conceal throughout each match for Brazilian membership Gremio.

Both Argentina and Uruguay are anticipated to qualify for the subsequent World Cup, however Messi and Suarez will not be assured to be with their nationwide groups in 2026.

Argentina left again Nicolás Tagliafico, nevertheless, is hoping Messi will keep within the combine if the group defends its Copa America title subsequent 12 months within the United States.

“If we win, I think he might extend it a little more. If we didn’t win the World Cup in Qatar, he would leave. But he did it and wants to enjoy it,” Tagliafico informed newspaper La Nacion. “If we win Copa America, I am certain that will be an incentive for Leo to continue.”

Endrick, who is ready to affix Real Madrid in January, is predicted to get some taking part in time at Colombia.

The 17-year-old ahead is prone to be part of Vinicius Júnior and Rodrygo - each already taking part in for Madrid - up entrance.

Casemiro and Neymar, two of Brazil’s key gamers lately, are out with accidents.

Brazil has had a troublesome time successful in Colombia in latest World Cup qualifying campaigns, and dealing with Argentina within the subsequent match on Tuesday might make it tougher.

“We know that Brazil versus Argentina is a different match because of it all,” Brazil midfielder Bruno Guimarães mentioned Tuesday on the group’s coaching floor in Teresopolis. “We have a big focus on Colombia, it is a tough and physical match. We are giving due attention to Colombia and then we will give it to Argentina.”

Colombia will subject a recovered Luis Díaz, who on Tuesday was reunited along with his father. Luis Manuel Díaz Jiménez was kidnapped by a guerrilla group in late October. He was launched final week.

Also Thursday, Bolivia will face Peru, Venezuela will host Ecuador, and Chile will tackle Paraguay.

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