Argentina will play three friendlies at home from September 30 to October 6, with Bolivia first. Burkina Faso and Benin are also on the schedule. These are the team’s first matches since Lionel Messi’s departure. The AFA has not said whether FIFA will recognize the games as Class A friendlies, which affect rankings and player records.
Bolivia will face Argentina at the Mario Alberto Kempes stadium in Córdoba on September 30. The team then heads to Buenos Aires for the remaining two matches at River Plate’s Monumental stadium, against Burkina Faso on October 3 and Benin on October 6. These will be Argentina’s first games since the 2026 World Cup. The AFA announcement does not specify whether FIFA will count them as Class A friendlies. AP and regional media have reported the dates and venues, while the final FIFA classification remains pending.
Burkina Faso and Benin will face Argentina on Argentine soil for the first time, a basic stage for the two African teams and local fans.
For coach Lionel Scaloni, these matches go beyond routine fixtures. With Messi gone, Scaloni has to build a squad with a new identity. The player list has not been released, but it is expected to offer the first signs of a generational shift after years of stability under Messi. Pressure is mounting to find new talent and reshape the team’s core. Some local media say the "post-Messi" label might be premature, as Messi could still be named in the preliminary squad.
By hosting all three matches in Argentina, the AFA aims to reconnect with local fans after the World Cup. Córdoba and Buenos Aires should draw big crowds, but uncertainty over FIFA status leaves the games’ competitive value in question. Players and coaches are preparing without knowing whether these appearances will count toward their official records. Several sports analysts say the AFA is still waiting for FIFA’s confirmation, which would affect rankings and player statistics.
Major tournaments and finals usually draw most of the attention, as with the recent announcement that Camp Nou will host the 2029 Champions League final. These friendlies are a different kind of test. They will show how Argentina adapts without Messi, on the field and with its supporters.
The AFA’s plan to stage all friendlies in Argentina is seen as an effort to maximize home support and draw on the domestic fan base in Córdoba and Buenos Aires. Several sources say the federation is using this window, which falls within the official FIFA international calendar from September 21 to October 6, to evaluate new players and set the tone for the post-World Cup cycle.
The AFA’s silence on FIFA classification adds to uncertainty over the national team’s direction and the stakes for players hoping to secure a spot in the new cycle. Until the squad list is out and the match status is clear, Argentina’s football story remains in transition. How the federation handles this moment will shape the next few years, while the lack of clear information has already made the transition more difficult.
