The Argentine Football Association (AFA) will announce the upcoming friendly matches for the Argentina national team this coming Monday. These will be the team's first fixtures following their campaign at the 2026 World Cup.
The FIFA window for these games is scheduled between September 21 and October 6. The AFA has not yet defined the opponents or the venues for these friendlies, which will mark the start of a new chapter. The governing body issued a clear statement: "El próximo lunes, la AFA dará a conocer los partidos amistosos que disputará el equipo Lionel Scaloni en la fecha FIFA de septiembre/octubre".
What does this new cycle mean?
These matches represent the official beginning of the post-Lionel Messi era for La Albiceleste. The historic captain retired from international duty after the runner-up finish at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Now, coach Lionel Scaloni must solidify a squad that, despite the absence of its greatest star, maintains strong performances. Argentina leads their World Cup qualifying group with a perfect record: 9 points from three wins. Their offensive stats are impressive, with 8 goals scored and only 1 conceded, giving them a +7 goal difference.
The team enters this new cycle with a five-point cushion over Austria, their closest chaser in the standings. This advantage allows the coaching staff to work with some freedom to test new options and integrate emerging players. Their last official outing was a 1-0 defeat to Spain on July 19, a result that doesn't overshadow their overall good form.
How is the team shaping up for these friendlies?
Argentina's recent form is positive, with four wins and just one loss in their last five matches. The sequence of results, from most recent to oldest, is LWWWW. This strong qualifying campaign provides a solid foundation from which Scaloni can approach the friendlies. The aim will be to fine-tune details and deepen the collective understanding of a group that has already proven its quality.
The squad announcement for these games will be closely watched, as it is expected to include both pillars of the world champion team and players looking to establish themselves. Fans can check potential line-ups and the squad's status on our dedicated team page.
What can we expect from the announced opponents?
The main unknown to be resolved on Monday is the identity of the teams that will face Argentina. The AFA typically seeks high-level opponents that serve as a demanding test in preparation for official competitions. These matches are also key to maintaining the squad's competitive rhythm during a FIFA window without qualifiers.
The location of the matches is another pending detail. The possibility of playing on home soil is always welcomed by local fans, although logistics and commercial agreements sometimes take friendlies abroad. Whatever the venue, these games will be the first look at the team on their path to defending the world title. Supporters can track the evolving schedule in our fixtures section.
The Argentina national team, currently number one in the FIFA rankings and leading in qualifying, faces the task of renewing itself while maintaining its high standards. Monday's announcement will set the date and opponent for that challenge.
