The Argentina national team has confirmed opponents for its upcoming friendlies in the post-Lionel Messi era. The side led by Lionel Scaloni will face Burkina Faso and Benin during the next FIFA window in October.
The Albiceleste, currently topping their World Cup qualifying group with 9 points from three wins, aims to solidify its renewal process. The match against Burkina Faso is tentatively scheduled for October 3rd in Buenos Aires, although the Argentine Football Association is still finalizing the details. These games will allow Scaloni to test alternatives and identify new leaders within the squad.
Who will step up as the new leaders?
With the definitive absence of Lionel Messi, players like Julián Álvarez are expected to take on greater responsibility within the setup. Lautaro Martínez, Cristian Romero, and Emiliano 'Dibu' Martínez, pillars of the world champion team in 2022 and runner-up in 2026, will be key in this transition process. The coaching staff will closely observe how these figures adapt to more prominent roles within the group.
Scaloni faces the task of rebuilding the team's competitive core. Argentina's last outing was a 1-0 defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final on July 19th, a result that closed one chapter. So far this season, the team has scored 8 goals and conceded just one, maintaining a +7 goal difference. Their recent form over the last five matches reads four wins and only one loss.
What do we know about the opponents?
Burkina Faso, the most immediate rival, is ranked 62nd in the FIFA ranking. Between 2025 and 2026, the African side played 17 matches, with a record of 11 wins, 1 draw, and 5 losses, marking them as a good-level test opponent. Benin will complete the double-header of preparation, though details for this second match are still being finalized.
This type of fixture is not new for Scaloni's project. Earlier in 2026, prior to the World Cup, Argentina faced Mauritania and Zambia in friendlies, matches that ended in victory for the South American side. The idea is to repeat a formula that allows for fine-tuning tactical and group details. Fans can follow the squad's evolution on our dedicated squad page.
How is Argentina shaping up for these matches?
The team arrives at this stage in high spirits despite the recent final loss. With a 5-point lead over Austria in the World Cup qualifying standings, the Albiceleste demonstrates solid and consistent performance. The defense, marshaled by Romero, has been one of the sturdiest, conceding only one goal in three official outings this season.
The national team's schedule is packed with challenges. After these friendlies, the focus will return to official competition. Supporters can check all future scheduling in the site's fixtures section. Scaloni's priority will be to polish the collective functioning and distribute the goal-scoring burden that previously fell almost exclusively on Messi.
The October 3rd date in Buenos Aires will officially mark the start of a new era. The Argentine Football Association will confirm the exact venue and time for the Burkina Faso match in the coming days.
