# Argentina and Bolivia friendly match updates > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/argentina-national-football-team-friendly-match-schedule > Updated: 2026-09-22T01:01:49.000Z. Sources: 18. Developments: 3. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has classified upcoming friendly matches against Bolivia, Burkina Faso, and Benin as ‘First-Level International Friendlies.’ This designation allows players serving suspensions following the World Cup final to reduce their penalty durations, including Nahuel Molina, Leandro Paredes, and Thiago Almada. For the FIFA international window running from September 30 to October 6, head coach Lionel Scaloni has announced an expanded squad. Domestic additions include Leonel Flores (Boca Juniors), Tomás Palacios (Estudiantes de La Plata), Tobías Andrada (River Plate), Santiago Beltrán (River Plate), Thiago Almada (River Plate), and Nicolás Otamendi (River Plate), with Otamendi specifically summoned for the October 6 fixture. Three players based abroad have also been called up: Santiago Simón (Toluca), Ezequiel Fernández (Bayer Leverkusen), and Valentín Gómez (Real Betis). However, the AFA has confirmed that Thiago Almada and Juan Foyth will miss the upcoming series. Almada, a midfielder for River Plate, suffered a grade 1 quadriceps tear during a match against Huracán, while Foyth, a defender for Villarreal, was withdrawn due to persistent muscular discomfort. The match against Bolivia is scheduled to take place at the Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium in Córdoba, marking the Bolivian national team’s return to the venue after ten years. The last official match at this stadium occurred in March 2016 during World Cup qualifiers. While the Bolivian squad under manager Óscar Villegas features a young demographic with an average age of 23.81 years, Argentina’s roster includes goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli, who was on the bench during the previous visit to Córdoba. The match against Benin is noted as being significant, as it will serve as Lionel Messi’s official international retirement match. ## Claims - The Bolivian national team has begun training for upcoming international friendlies. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Bolivia will play a friendly match against Paraguay on September 27 in Washington, D.C. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Bolivia will play a friendly match against Argentina on September 30 in Córdoba. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Paraguay's sporting director Justo Villar stated the team must face high-level opponents. (single source) - Paraguay is traveling to the United States for international friendlies against Bolivia and Colombia. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-22: Bolivia and Paraguay prepare for international friendlies Bolivia and Paraguay are preparing for international friendly matches in the United States and Argentina, serving as key preparation for the upcoming 2030 World Cup qualifying cycle. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bolivia-national-team-begins-training-for-friendlies-against-paraguay-and-argentina ### 2026-09-16: Argentina and Colombia announce squads for FIFA international window Argentina and Colombia have announced squads for upcoming international friendlies, featuring Palmeiras players and marking Lionel Messi's official international retirement match. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/argentina-and-colombia-announce-squads-for-fifa-international-window ### 2026-09-10: Argentina national team eyes domestic friendly matches in Córdoba and Buenos Aires Argentina is planning three friendly matches in Córdoba and Buenos Aires for the upcoming FIFA window, pending FIFA's classification of the games to determine if suspended players can participate. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/argentina-national-team-eyes-domestic-friendly-matches-in-crdoba-and-buenos-aires --- Cite as: Argentina and Bolivia friendly match updates. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/argentina-national-football-team-friendly-match-schedule