Argentina announces 2 new match schedule

Argentina first canceled the Finalissima with Spain and the friendly match with Qatar due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Then the world champions scheduled a match against Guatemala at home. But FIFA did not approve Lionel Scaloni's team to play them because of another match in the Central American country nearby. Then Argentina announced the schedule by setting two new opponents.

The Argentine Football Association (AFA) said in two separate statements that Argentina will play against two African countries Mauritania and Zambia this month in preparation for the World Cup. Both matches will be at the home stadium of the world champions. Which will be Messi's last match in his own country before the 2026 World Cup. Argentina's opportunity to say goodbye to the host audience has increased. Initially, it was said that they would play one match at home before the mega event.

Almost all teams will play two matches in FIFA's March window. Argentina is also on the same path this time. They will face Mauritania on March 27 at La Bombonera Stadium in Buenos Aires and Zambia on March 31. Mauritania was previously scheduled to play a friendly match against Palestine in Morocco. But that match was canceled due to the ongoing conflict. Meanwhile, Argentina played their last match against Angola in November. With the upcoming two matches, they will have three consecutive games against the African country.

Argentina's finals with Spain were previously scheduled to be held in Qatar. But despite discussions to change the venue for security reasons, the match was not held as the two sides could not reach an agreement.

The friendly match against Qatar was also canceled at the same time. Then the scheduled match against Guatemala was also canceled because the country had previously scheduled a match against Algeria in Italy. FIFA did not approve their trip to Argentina in the near future.

Meanwhile, Argentina coach Scaloni has already announced the squad for the Guatemala match. They can face the new opponent with the same squad. The 28-member squad is led by World Cup-winning captain Messi as usual. Striker Lautaro Martinez, defender Lisandro Martinez and midfielder Giovani Lo Celso are not in the announced Argentine squad. They are mainly out due to injuries. Franco Mastantuono and Joaquin Panicelli have been added to the squad later.

Tomas Palacios and Gabriel Rojas have been called up to the national team for the first time. Apart from this, the squad also includes experienced stars like Rodrigo de Paul, Julián Alvarez, Emiliano Martinez, Enzo Fernandez and Leandro Paredes.

Marcos Acuna, who missed Argentina's last match against Angola in November, has also returned to the squad. Scaloni has also called up Gianluca Prestigioni, who recently sparked a row with Real Madrid's Brazilian star Vinicius Junior, after Vinicius accused him of racism and was banned from a Champions League match.