Argentina return to international football for the first time since losing the World Cup title to Spain, hosting Bolivia in a friendly at the Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium in Córdoba on Thursday 1 October, 2026, with kick-off set for 1:00am BST / 9:00pm ART.

A new era begins without the little maestro

The most significant change for the Albiceleste is the absence of Lionel Messi, who announced his retirement from international football at the end of last month. Fans will have one final chance to see him in blue and white, however — next week's friendly against Benin at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires is confirmed as his farewell fixture.

Before that historic send-off, manager Lionel Scaloni faces two warm-up matches: this clash against Bolivia and a weekend fixture against Burkina Faso, also at the Monumental. Scaloni is reportedly keen to experiment with new combinations as he shapes his post-Messi squad.

Absentees and key players

Argentina must also do without the suspended trio of Leandro Paredes, Nahuel Molina, and Thiago Almada, while assistant coach Roberto Ayala is banned from the touchline — all four sanctioned for conduct during the World Cup. The match at Córdoba is itself expected to operate below 30,000 capacity after FIFA imposed restrictions on Argentina following fan chants during the tournament.

Despite those absences, Scaloni can still call upon quality throughout the squad. Emi Martinez, Julian Alvarez, and Lautaro Martinez are among the high-profile names set to feature, giving Argentina considerable firepower even in a rotated lineup.

Bolivia's tough assignment

Bolivia arrive ranked 78th in the world and face an Argentina side that, however reshuffled, carries far greater individual quality. The visitors will need a near-perfect performance to trouble the hosts.

How to watch

Viewers in Argentina can watch free-to-air on Telefe, while Brazilian audiences have access via Globoplay at no cost. In the United Kingdom, Premier Sports 1 holds live broadcast rights, with a subscription starting at £18.99 per month.