Veteran goalkeeper Alain Baroja has been recalled to Venezuela's squad for World Cup qualifiers against Argentina and Paraguay, the Venezuelan football federation said on Monday.

The 34-year-old replaces Joel Graterol, who was ruled out of the matches after suffering a knee injury while playing for Colombian side America de Cali.

Baroja earned the most recent of his 14 Venezuela caps when he played the full 90 minutes in a 2-1 friendly victory over Saudi Arabia in March 2023.

Venezuela will host Argentina on Thursday before an away clash against Paraguay five days later.

The Vinotinto are currently sixth in the 10-team South American qualifying group with 10 points from eight games, eight points behind leaders Argentina.

The top six teams will automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup while the seventh-ranked side will advance to an intercontinental playoff. 

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