Argentina Picks Senegal Friendly

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup looming on the horizon, concerns have emerged regarding the staging of the prestigious Finalissima. However, three-time world champions Argentina are determined not to compromise on their preparation. In light of the uncertainty surrounding the Finalissima, La Albiceleste have decided to pursue an alternative plan to ensure optimal readiness.

It has now been confirmed that Argentina will face African powerhouse Senegal in a friendly match scheduled for March next year. The Argentine Football Association has already submitted a formal proposal to the Senegalese Football Federation, which has reportedly responded positively without hesitation. This fixture is intended to provide Lionel Messi and his teammates with a high-calibre opponent in the lead-up to the World Cup.

Originally, Argentina were slated to face world-class Spain in the Finalissima. Yet, with dates and details for the fixture still unresolved, questions over its staging have prompted the South American giants to look elsewhere. The upcoming friendly against Senegal will offer both teams a competitive environment ahead of football’s greatest stage.

The Senegalese Football Federation, known as the Lions of Teranga, confirmed that preparations for the March friendly are already underway. If all goes to plan, football fans can expect a thrilling encounter between Messi’s Argentina and Sadio Mané’s Senegal, pitting two of the world’s most exciting teams against one another before the tournament proper begins.

As for the 2026 World Cup groupings, Argentina have been drawn alongside relatively manageable opponents Algeria, Austria, and the winner of the play-off between Jordan, Bolivia, Suriname, and Iraq. Senegal, on the other hand, finds itself in a far sterner “Group of Death” alongside France and Norway, with the fourth slot to be filled by the same play-off victor. This ensures that both teams will face contrasting challenges as they seek to peak for the tournament.

Key Fixture and World Cup Data