BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — 3 months before the event. world cup Defensively, Argentina lost a great chance to test their standing against European champion Spain. Finalissima has been canceled.
Since winning the 2022 World Cup, Argentina has cruised through the South American qualifiers with four losses out of 18, won the 2024 Copa America, and won all of 11 friendly matches.
Manager Lionel Scaloni had hoped to play against Spain this month to ease his captain’s big fears. lionel messi ‘s World Cup availability, evaluate other starters, and evaluate young prospects.
but, war in the middle east This made it impossible to hold the Finalissima in Qatar on March 27, and the Argentine Football Association was unable to find a suitable new date with UEFA. AFA also had to cancel a friendly match against Qatar.
As a result, the AFA entered into frenzied negotiations to find a new opponent for this month’s international match, and it was decided that the team would play Guatemala at home on March 31st.
“The work schedule, teams and stadiums selected for the FIFA calendar will be announced in the coming days,” AFA said in a statement.
Argentina has not revealed its opponent for the final warm-up match in late May ahead of June’s World Cup.
“The players need to be in their best condition right before the (World Cup) games,” Scaloni said in January. “I’m not saying it doesn’t matter now, but it’s important after March. They need a little bit of luck to reach their best condition.”
For the first time in history, Argentina could qualify for the World Cup without having to play a European rival in qualifying.
This is the result of AFA’s deliberate strategy to obtain greater commercial benefits, even at the cost of playing against inferior opponents in foreign lands.
Before the 2022 World Cup, Argentina played against Germany, Italy and Estonia. Over the past three and a half years, Argentina have benefited from their world champion status and Messi’s presence, playing against the likes of Curacao, Indonesia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Puerto Rico and Angola.
Argentina still doesn’t know if they can trust Messi, who will turn 39 during the World Cup.
“I’m going to take it one day at a time. I’m going to be honest, be realistic and try to feel good,” Messi said late last year about the possibility of a sixth World Cup appearance.
Three-time champions Argentina begin World Cup group play on June 16 in Kansas City against Algeria, followed by Austria and Jordan.
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