Argentina continue their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by taking on Mauritania in the first of two hastily arranged friendlies on Friday.
Lionel Scaloni’s side had been set to play Spain in the Finalissima in Qatar on March 27 before the match was called off over the conflict in the Middle East.
They then organised a home match against Guatemala, who had to pull out because they face Algeria in Genoa four days earlier and FIFA regulations do not allow teams to play on two continents within the same international window.
101GreatGoals.com has the team news and starting line-ups as Argentina play at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires, which is the home of Boca Juniors and has a capacity of more than 57,000.
Argentina confirmed team vs Mauritania
While many fans are desperate to see Messi play whenever his teams are in action, head coach Lionel Scaloni’s starting line-up appears to reflect a decision to use the 38-year-old sparingly with the World Cup under three months away.
Messi, who is on the bench, has a history of suffering injuries on international duty. “After his return, we will simply monitor how he is feeling day by day,” his Inter Miami boss, Javier Mascherano, said after his captain scored and played the full 90 minutes in an MLS win over New York City on Sunday.
“Clearly, he is a vital player for us if we are to achieve our objectives. Quite frankly, without him, it would be impossible for us to reach the goals we have set for ourselves.
“That said, we also understand that he is reaching the final stretch [before the World Cup].”
Scaloni is without defenders Leonardo Balerdi and Gonzalo Montiel and midfielder Giovani Lo Celso through injury.
Forward Lautaro Martinez has a minor niggle, so Julian Alvarez has a chance to stake his claim for a regular starting place.
Argentina starting XI: Emiliano Martinez, Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Marcos Senesi, Huevo Acuna; Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister, Nico Paz, Nico Gonzalez, Julian Alvarez, Thiago Almada
Argentina substitutes: Juan Musso, Geronimo Rulli, Lucas Martinez Quarta, Santiago Rojas, Agustin Giay, Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul, Lionel Messi, Exequiel Palacios, Maximo Perrone, Giovanni Simeone, Nicolas Otamendi, Nicolas Lopez, Franco Mastantuono, Valentin Barco
Mauritania full line up vs Argentina
Rangers winger winger Djeidi Gassama makes his Mauritania debut after switching allegiance from France.
Defender Nouh Mohamed El Abd had been an injury doubt and is on the bench.
Visiting head coach Aritz Lopez Garai, who has played and managed in the Spanish second division, discovered his side could be playing Argentina last Friday.
“The federation president told me there was a possibility,” Garia said, speaking to Ole. “He didn’t confirm it because the paperwork was still pending, and everything accelerated with the announcement that the match was confirmed.”
Garia played in a 2-1 defeat and 5-0 thrashing against Messi’s Barcelona while he was a midfielder with Cordoba.
“We aspire to be competitive, but we’re going to face the best player in the world. I believe this will be a unique opportunity for my players to showcase themselves on a global stage.
“Playing with Messi at La Bombonera, the ultimate stadium, is an extraordinary motivation for any player, and we have to know how to control that excitement so it doesn’t backfire.
“A match of this magnitude is a great opportunity; circumstances have simply unfolded this way. For Mauritania, this is a once-in-a-lifetime event.”
Mauritania starting XI: Babacar Diop, Ibrahima Keita, Lamine Ba, Jordan Lefort, Aly Abeid, Maata Magassa, Oumar Ngom, Beyatt Lekoueiry, Aboubakary Koita, Mamadou Diallo, Djeidi Gassama
Mauritania substitutes: Abderrahmane Sarr, Khadim Diaw, Demine Saleck, Nouh Med El Abd, Abdalahi Mahmoud, El Hacen El Id, Guessouma Fofana, Yacoub Sidi, Papa Ndiaga Yade, Amar Sidi Bouna, Idrissa Thiam, Souleymane Anne
Where to watch Argentina vs Mauritania: TV channel, live online streams
Argentina vs Mauritania starts at 20:15 local time (23:15 GMT / 18:15 ET / 15:15 PT) and is being shown live on beIN Sports and Vix.
Argentina v Mauritania stats
- Argentina have won their last three games without conceding
- They have not lost in Buenos Aires since 2023
- Argentina have not lost to an African team since 2017
