Football fans in India, especially those eagerly awaiting a glimpse of Lionel Messi, will need to temper their excitement. The highly anticipated friendly match featuring Argentina, originally slated for November 17th at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi, has been officially postponed.
The sponsor of the friendly, Anto Augustine, Managing Director of Reporter Broadcasting Company, announced on social media that the decision was made following discussions with the Argentine Football Association (AFA). The primary reason cited for this unfortunate delay is a hold-up in securing the necessary permissions from FIFA for the match to proceed as planned.
A Rocky Road to Kick-off
The journey to finalize this friendly has been anything but smooth, marked by considerable uncertainty since its initial announcement by the Kerala Sports Minister. At one point, even the Minister had suggested the match was off. However, in August, the AFA had reassured fans by confirming their team’s participation in Kochi.
Despite these past confirmations, recent media reports from Argentina had hinted that the November fixture was unlikely. These reports suggested a possible rescheduling to March 2026, further indicating the complexities behind organizing such a high-profile international event.
This postponement means that supporters hoping to see the reigning World Champions play on Indian soil will have to wait a little longer, as organizers look to secure a slot during FIFA’s next international match window.