News of international

Dollar shortage still looms after Argentina buys time at IMF

Yesterday 17:27 Argentina has bought time, but the government still faces a hard-currency shortage that it'll have to tackle before elections next year.

INTERNATIONAL FINANCING

World Bank lines up US$2bn shield for Argentina’s debt refinancing

16-04-2026 16:01 Proposed backing could lower borrowing costs; Milei administration faces major July repayments and is seeking fresh international support.

INTERNATIONAL FINANCING

Argentina in talks for US$2-billion loan backed by World Bank

16-04-2026 12:48 Argentina negotiating US$2-billion loan with private banks backed by guarantees from World Bank institutions.

IMF AGREEMENT

Trump support collides with IMF caution over Argentina programme

16-04-2026 10:18 “Outstanding measures” required before the deal is taken to the Board. Trump’s support and pressure contrasts with a technical team that has worsened Argentina's inflation outlook and is calling for greater exchange-rate flexibility.

by Eugenia Muzio

IMF DEBT PROGRAMME

IMF reaches agreement with Argentina on loan programme review

15-04-2026 18:41 International Monetary Fund and Argentina agree deal unlocking US$1 billion in fresh funds; Technicians sign off on state figures in second review; Fund praises fiscal progress as inflation concerns persist.

ECONOMIC OUTLOOK

IMF cuts Argentina's growth outlook, raises inflation forecast

14-04-2026 11:38 Argentina’s economy will expand by 3.5% says multilateral lender in revised growth estimate; Inflation now predicted to close out year at 30.5% – a rise of 10 points on last projection.

IMF PROGRAMME

Argentina to reach IMF staff agreement as early as this week

14-04-2026 09:05 Argentina expected to reach IMF staff-level agreement on second review of US$20-billion programme as early as this week.

INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

Argentina to play Honduras and Iceland in pre-World Cup friendlies

09-04-2026 17:56 'La Scaloneta' will face Honduras on June 6 in Texas and Iceland’s senior side on June 9 in Alabama ahead of World Cup kick-off.

INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

Albiceleste win with ease – and learn little – in final pre-World Cup home friendlies

01-04-2026 12:08 After another set of meaningless matches – this time against Mauritania and Zambia – we are none the wiser over Argentina's chances of defending the title when they head up north in June.

by Dan Edwards

INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

Messi on target as Argentina put five past Zambia in World Cup send-off

01-04-2026 10:36 Much improved performance from the world champions, but tougher tests lie ahead when the nation’s title defence gets underway in June.

International football

Messi to start for Argentina in World Cup send-off against Zambia, says Scaloni

30-03-2026 18:21 Lionel Messi will start for Argentina in a friendly against Zambia on Tuesday at La Bombonera – the reigning world champions' final game on home soil before they defend their World Cup crown.

MARKETS & BONDS

Argentina rating upgrade hinges on reserve build-up, Fitch says

27-03-2026 10:29 Argentina’s path to a credit rating upgrade depends on the sustained build-up of foreign-currency reserves, says top exec at Fitch Ratings.

RACE FOR UN SECRETARY GENERAL

Argentine diplomat Virginia Gamba removed from UN secretary-general race

26-03-2026 17:48 Argentine diplomat Virginia Gamba removed from list of candidates for UN secretary-general after Maldives withdraws backing for her candidacy; Boost for fellow Argentine Rafael Grossi; Days ago, Chile pulled support for ex-president Michelle Bachelet’s candidacy.

INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

Argentina take it easy on road to World Cup 2026 title defence

26-03-2026 15:02 Since winning the World Cup in 2022, the only notable sides the Albiceleste have faced have been Brazil, Colombia and Uruguay. Otherwise, the run of fixtures has been limited to friendlies against lower-level sides.

FOOTBALL – INTERVIEW

Tagliafico: Albiceleste must avoid ‘complacency’ at World Cup

25-03-2026 13:29 National team left-back says Argentina must guard against “complacency” as the defending champions prepare to defend their title at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

RACE FOR UN SECRETARY GENERAL

New Chile President Kast withdraws support for Bachelet's UN chief bid

24-03-2026 20:41 New hard-right President Jose Antonio Kast says promoting Michelle Bachelet's candidacy would entail "a significant cost" for Chile and pulls backing.

INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

Argentina to now face Mauritania and Zambia in March friendlies

21-03-2026 11:14 World champions will play both matches at La Bombonera after the Finalissima against Spain was cancelled and a planned friendly against Guatemala fell through, due to FIFA regulations.

INTERNATIONAL RUGBY

Argentina enters race to host men’s Rugby World Cup in 2035

18-03-2026 13:07 News of the hosting bid comes ahead of a visit by Alan Gilpin, the chief executive of the World Rugby international federation, to Argentina.

INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

Argentina to face Guatemala friend in place of scrapped Finalissima

17-03-2026 17:01 World champions will play Guatemala in a friendly – venue set to be confirmed – in place ofe the cancelled Finalissima match against European champions Spain in Qatar.

INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

Argentina's 'Finalissima' clash with Spain cancelled, confirms UEFA

15-03-2026 18:38 The 'Finalissima' clash between Euro 2024 winners Spain and world champions Argentina set to take place on March 27 in Qatar has been cancelled.

MARKETS – ANALYSIS

Argentina missed early window to sell bonds, investors say

11-03-2026 17:33 Investors say Milei government may have missed a window to return to debt markets in January after deeming it too expensive.

POLITICS & ECONOMY

Top Argentina official resigned after return to markets shelved

05-03-2026 16:40 Alejandro Lew was only appointed to the position last November to spearhead Argentina’s return to international markets.

LITERATURE

Argentine and Brazilian writers among finalists for International Booker Prize

25-02-2026 11:53 Gabriela Cabezón Cámara’s 'Las niñas del naranjel' (“We Are Green and Trembling”) nominated for slot on the 2026 shortlist; Chaco-based novel revisits colonial history through a bold and unsettling lens.

WORLD CUP 2026

Argentina to set up base camp in Kansas City for 2026 World Cup

05-02-2026 12:48 AFA confirms the Albiceleste will be based in Kansas City for the initial stages of the tournament, which will be hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.

BONDS & MARKETS

Argentina’s global debt hopes get boost from Ecuador’s bond success

28-01-2026 22:44 Ecuador’s return to global credit markets is being seen as a good portent among investors who are eagerly awaiting Argentina’s comeback.

ECONOMIC OUTLOOK

IMF projects economy will grow 4% in 2026 and 2027

19-01-2026 13:56 IMF confirms positive outlook for Argentina; Economy expected to grow 4% over next two years.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Rafael Grossi: ‘The UN is moving into irrelevance, but it need not be so’

10-01-2026 06:59 Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is one of the leading candidates to succeed United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. In an exclusive interview, the Argentine diplomat discusses the UN’s top job, his vision for it and career to date.

by James Grainger

MARKET MANOUEVRES

Santander, BBVA, Deutsche lead US$3-billion repo for Argentina

07-01-2026 13:35 Argentina secures US$3-billion loan from a group of international banks to help cover a foreign debt payment; Central Bank reaches a one-year repurchase agreement – or repo – with lenders at rate of 7.4%.

MONETARY POLICY

Milei gives in to IMF pressure and opens door to inflation risk

17-12-2025 12:50 Economic team has relinquished price deceleration as its overriding priority in an effort to break through the floor of Argentina’s country risk rating, but new strategy faces market scepticism over government’s financing capacity.

by Eugenia Muzio

BONDS & MARKETS

Argentina moves closer to bond market return with peso pivot

16-12-2025 22:08 Central Bank will begin to gradually unwind the tight grip it keeps on the currency starting January; Officials also say they’re going to start buying dollars to boost the Central Bank’s cash stockpile.

MARKETS & BONDS

Argentina’s dollar bond sale tests foreign demand under Milei

10-12-2025 15:39 A bond sale planned for Wednesday may be a small step for Argentina’s government at home, but a major move toward a potential return to international debt markets.

INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND

IMF sees Argentina meeting year-end reserves target challenging

04-12-2025 13:32 IMD admits Argentina's bid to build up its foreign reserves and meet end-year accumulation target will be “challenging.”

RACE FOR UN SECRETARY GENERAL

Rafael Mariano Grossi: Renewing the promise – a United Nations that works

27-11-2025 00:03 "The world still needs the United Nations – but it must be a United Nations that works," says Rafael Mariano Grossi, candidate for Secretary-General of the top international body, in his vision statement, to which the Times gained access.

UNITED NATIONS

Argentina formally backs Rafael Grossi’s candidacy for UN secretary-general

26-11-2025 23:50 President Javier Milei’s government puts forward the IAEA chief as a contender to succeed António Guterres in 2027, betting his technical profile, experience with global crises and diplomatic backing will win out in a pivotal year for the United Nations.

ANALYSIS: SHOCK THERAPY

Milei defies investor calls to build up foreign currency FX reserves

20-11-2025 11:18 Why the government is hesitant to build up international reserves, let the peso float and relax currency controls.

INTERNATIONAL SUMMITS

South Africa's G20 summit overshadowed by Trump, Milei absences

19-11-2025 14:44 South Africa to open its first G20 presidency weekend seeking commitments on debt relief, climate adaptation funding and reducing global inequalities – but with both United States and Argentina will be missing.

IMF DEBT PROGRAMME

Argentina awaits data before seeking to renegotiate IMF targets

15-11-2025 16:32 Argentina intends to renegotiate reserve requirements, but will wait until the end of the year to do so.

INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

Messi scores as Argentina win in Angola

14-11-2025 15:36 Lionel Messi created the first goal and scored the second as world champions Argentina beat Angola 2-0 in an international friendly in Luanda on Friday.

IMF INTERVENTION

IMF warns government it needs to build up foreign reserves faster

13-11-2025 18:25 International Monetary Fund staff urge government to build up its foreign reserves faster; Intervention adds fuel to debate between Milei’s team and some investors over whether overhaul of currency policy is necessary.

INTERNATIONAL APPEARANCE

Milei to skip another two summits: G20 and Mercosur

13-11-2025 16:12 Argentina’s retreat from multilateralism becomes all the more apparent as President Milei bins off two key events – the G20 Leaders Summit in South Africa and upcoming Mercosur meet in Foz de Iguazú – and decides to send deputies in his stead.

ARGENTINA'S FINANCES

Argentina’s US$870-million boost of IMF holdings points to US aid

13-11-2025 00:00 Data from the International Monetary Fund hints a potential new form of US financial aid for President Javier Milei’s government.

VAMOS LEO!

'I would like to be there' – Lionel Messi on 2026 World Cup

28-10-2025 11:15 National team captain says in an interview with NBC news that he wants to play in the World Cup but will decide in early 2026.

sports

Plenty to be proud of Albiceleste youth fall short at final hurdle

22-10-2025 22:54 It was so near and yet so far for Argentina as they battled in vain for what would have been the nation's seventh FIFA U-20 World Cup title. But it bears repeating as many times as necessary: results are not the be-all and end-all of youth football.

by Dan Edwards

INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

Argentina need real tests ahead of World Cup defence

17-10-2025 08:42 There’s no doubt that this is still a very good Argentina team, but why on earth are Venezuela and Puerto Rico lined up for friendlies ahead of the World Cup?

by Dan Edwards

International football

Mac Allister and Martínez braces power Albiceleste win over Puerto Rico

15-10-2025 11:42 Alexis Mac Allister and Lautaro Martínez each scored two goals as Argentina routed Puerto Rico 6-0 on Tuesday.

ECONOMIC OUTLOOK

IMF downgrades Argentina 2025 growth forecast to 4.5%

14-10-2025 12:57 International Monetary Fund worsens outlook for Argentina, projecting lower growth and higher inflation; GDP to grow 4.5% this year, says multilateral lender, with inflation reaching 41.3%.

INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

Lo Celso scores only goal as Argentina defeat Venezuela in Miami

11-10-2025 07:48 Giovani scores only goal of the game in Albiceleste's 1-0 win against Venezuela; No appearance from skipper Lionel Messi.

International Monetary Fund

IMF chief offers Argentina show of support

03-10-2025 23:02 Efforts to stabilise Milei’s government come before crucial October 26 midterm elections where nearly half the seats in Argentina’s Congress are on the ballot.

INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

Albiceleste Under 20s give us a glimpse of football’s future

03-10-2025 16:52 The Under-20 World Cup in Chile, which Argentina have opened with back-to-back wins, is showing off football's latest innovation, FVS (Football Video Support) and the so-called ‘Green Card.’

by Dan Edwards