Argentina will play Zambia on March 31 in the friendly before the 2026 World Cup

Argentina will continue its preparations for the 2026 World Cup with two friendly matches, the last of which will be against Zambia instead of Guatemala, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) announced on Friday.

La Albiceleste were due to play Spain in the Finalissima in Qatar this month, followed by a match against the hosts. Both clashes were part of the Qatar Football Festival, with the Finalissima scheduled to take place at the Lusail Stadium, the same venue where Lionel Messi had won the last edition of the World Cup.

However, the tournament was called off due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia, forcing Argentina to look for contingency plans.

The world champion quickly decided that he would play both of his friendlies at home in Buenos Aires on March 27 and 31.

Although the first match was confirmed, the second remained in doubt due to FIFA restrictions, which ban a country from playing matches on two different continents during a single international break. As a result, Zambia replaced the Central American nation.

“The Argentina national team, led by Lionel Scaloni, will face Zambia in its second friendly match of the FIFA Date, next Tuesday, March 31, starting at 8:15 p.m., in La Bombonera,” the AFA said in a statement.

“The Argentine Football Federation thanks the Guatemalan Football Federation for their efforts and willingness to come to the country despite FIFA’s legal restrictions.”

Published on March 21, 2026