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[SPORTS] · Argentina, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Benin · 83 sources

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Argentina national team schedules friendlies and Messi farewell

The Argentina national football team has scheduled three international friendlies in Argentina following the 2026 World Cup. The matches will be played against Bolivia on September 30 at the Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium in Córdoba, Burkina Faso on October 3 at the Monumental Stadium, and Benin on October 6 at the Monumental Stadium.

The final match against Benin will serve as the official farewell for Lionel Messi from the national team. AFA President Claudio Tapia confirmed the decision to invite Messi to receive a proper tribute on home soil. Other veteran players, including Nicolás Otamendi, Rodrigo De Paul, and Giovani Lo Celso, are expected to participate in the final match.

Coach Lionel Scaloni has expanded the squad to include nine additional players, featuring local talents from clubs like Boca Juniors and River Plate, alongside players from abroad. Scaloni noted that this period marks a new phase for the team, focusing on integrating younger players.

Due to FIFA sanctions resulting from incidents after the 2026 World Cup final, stadium capacities for the first two matches will be limited to 50%. However, the AFA has secured 'First-Level International Friendly' status for all three matches, allowing suspended players such as Leandro Paredes, Nahuel Molina, and Thiago Almada to begin serving their sanctions during these fixtures. Ticket prices for the matches range from 90,000 to 480,000 Argentine pesos.

Entities

AFA · Argentina Football Association · Argentina national football team · Argentine Football Association · Estadio Monumental · FIFA · Lionel Messi · Lionel Scaloni · Monumental Stadium · Rodrigo De Paul

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1 day ago