Lionel Messi and Luiz Suárez are set to face off in World Cup qualifying on Thursday. Messi, having recovered from a leg injury, led Argentina to a World Cup title last year and has his team in first place in the South American qualifying group for the 2026 tournament. Suárez, on the other hand, has just returned to Uruguay’s national team and is near the end of a high-scoring season in the Brazilian league. Brazil, on the other hand, will travel to face Colombia on Thursday, seeking to recover from previous disappointing results. The next World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada will include 48 teams, meaning direct entry for the top six teams in South America. Messi will likely play his last two matches of the year against Uruguay and Brazil, while Suárez is returning to Uruguay’s national team for the first time under coach Marcelo Bielsa. Both Argentina and Uruguay are expected to qualify for the next World Cup, but the future of Messi and Suárez with their national teams in 2026 is uncertain. Brazil’s team will be without key players Casemiro and Neymar, and faces challenging matches against Colombia and Argentina. Colombia will have a recovered Luis Díaz, who was recently reunited with his father after being kidnapped. Additionally, Bolivia will face Peru, Venezuela will host Ecuador, and Chile will take on Paraguay.
