Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said he has a "good feeling" about Lionel Messi's possible return to international soccer and will talk to the Barcelona forward about a possible return from his self-imposed exile. Messi took a sabbatical from the national side after another disappointing World Cup, with Argentina knocked out in the second round after winning just one game in four. He has not said whether he will return for the Copa America in Brazil in June but the interim coach said at Thursday's draw he was hopeful the inspiring forward might return for a March friendly. "We will speak with Leo in the days before the March list. When the time is right we will speak," Scaloni told reporters. "I hope he can be here but more than that, we want him to be happy. I have a good feeling." Argentina, who are desperate to end a trophy drought that dates back to 1993 when they last won the Copa America, were drawn in Group B for the upcoming tournament, alongside Colombia, Paraguay and invited side Qatar. Hosts Brazil will play face Peru, Venezuela and Bolivia in Group A, while Uruguay, Japan, Ecuador and reigning champions Chile are in Group C. South American World Cup qualifiers to start in March 2020 South America's World Cup qualifiers will begin in March 2020, later than envisaged due to the date of Qatar 2022 tournament, the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) said on Thursday. Eight games will take place over four double-header dates in March, September, October and November 2020, and the remaining 10 matches will be played in 2021. The South American qualifiers are played in a round-robin format with the top teams qualifying after 18 rounds of home and away fixtures. In recent years the qualifiers started in October, almost three years prior to the finals and ended in the November before the World Cup began. Organizers, however, decided to start this qualifying competition later because the 2022 tournament will be played in November and December to avoid the heat of the Arab summer. CONMEBOL also scheduled the final South American Super Cup between River Plate and Athletico Paranaense for May 2019. Libertadores champions River Plate will play the first leg in Curitiba against Copa Sudamericana holders Athletico Paranaense on May 22 before the return match in Buenos Aires on May 29. — Reuters
