Lionel Messi’s Argentina has announced new plans for their preparation for the 2026 World Cup. They will break from their usual schedule of two matches per international window, opting for only one game during the November FIFA window. Argentina will play a friendly match against Angola on Friday, November 14th, in Luanda, the capital of Angola.
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) provided details on the unique travel and training plans. This time, the team will first assemble in Spain, which will be their main base.
After the match in Luanda, the AFA noted that “the delegation will return to Europe to continue training until November 18th, when the FIFA window ends.”
Argentina decided to play only against Angola after a planned match with India was canceled. The AFA looked for other opponents but could not finalize additional matches, leading to the decision for a single game along with training in Spain.
Upcoming Matches for Argentina
After the November friendly, the national team has scheduled matches against Mexico and Honduras in the United States. These games will serve as final send-offs just a week before the 2026 World Cup begins.
Next year, there could be a notable Finalissima match against Spain, featuring Lionel Messi and rising star Lamine Yamal for the first time. While the date is not confirmed, reports from Europe indicate that the match may occur in March, likely at Qatar’s Lusail Stadium.