News of international football

'I'm going to miss you' – Messi thanks fans after 'painful' retirement

06-10-2026 23:52 Messi bids emotional farewell after final match with Albiceleste; "Playing for Argentina is the greatest thing that can happen to you," he tells fans.

Messi readies for final farewell in Argentina send-off

05-10-2026 13:13 Argentina's skipper will bring the curtain down on his glittering Argentina career on Tuesday with a farewell friendly against Benin.

Argentina thrash Bolivia as new faces emerge for post-Messi era

01-10-2026 21:12 Albiceleste enjoys comfortable 4-0 friendly win over Bolivia; Lautaro Martínez, Nico Paz, Cristian Romero and Jose ‘Flaco’ López on scoresheet as Argentina begin rebuilding.

Argentina run riot against Bolivia in first post-World Cup friendly

01-10-2026 00:13 National team takes its first steps without Lionel Messi; Albiceleste ease to a 4-0 victory in Córdoba as a new generation begins to emerge

Ex-River boss Marcelo Gallardo appointed as new Ecuador head coach

14-09-2026 08:29 Ex-River Plate coach replaces compatriot Sebastián Beccacece, who stepped down after Ecuador's loss to co-hosts Mexico in this year's World Cup.

AFA hopes Benin and Burkina Faso can tempt Messi to one last dance

09-09-2026 17:34 Lionel Messi has retired from international football – but Argentina’s football authorities still have a couple more games in mind…

FIFA to probe Argentina over World Cup final ill-discipline, Malvinas banner

29-07-2026 18:25 FIFA opens disciplinary proceedings against four Argentines and one Spaniard over incidents following World Cup final; AFA will also face probe over controversial Malvinas banner.

‘La cuarta estrella’: Players embrace fans' new World Cup anthem

09-07-2026 18:36 'La cuarta estrella' has swept through the stands before being adopted by the players themselves after their dramatic victory over Egypt, rekindling memories of Qatar 2022’s 'Muchachos.'

With or without Messi? Argentina's big question against Jordan

26-06-2026 11:12 Saturday's rotated side could still include players eager to maintain rhythm and those seeking it. Julián Álvarez is expected to start, with changes to the defence and midfield also likely.

Messi rules the World Cup – but are Argentina too reliant on him?

24-06-2026 15:06 Five goals in two games have confirmed the Argentine captain as the tournament's all-time leading scorer. But with Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez yet to find the net, questions are growing about what happens if and when Messi's legs give out.

Magic Messi bags hat-trick, breaks World Cup record as Argentina rout Algeria

17-06-2026 00:44 Lionel Messi opened his record-breaking sixth World Cup with a hat-trick to become the tournament's joint all-time top scorer on Tuesday as holders Argentina launched their bid for back-to-back titles with a dazzling 3-0 rout of Algeria.

Heavyweights Argentina and France start World Cup quests

16-06-2026 11:12 Argentina take on Algeria in Kansas City, while France face Senegal in New Jersey.

Albiceleste set up camp in Kansas, buoyed by Messi's return

10-06-2026 23:21 Boost for Albiceleste as Lionel Messi nears full fitness, but Julián Álvarez is in a race against time to be fit for Argentina's World Cup opener.

Trump says will attend World Cup matches as kick off nears

10-06-2026 14:47 World Cup kick off dogged by off-field distractions ranging from sky-high ticket prices to an immigration crackdown that has seen fans, team officials and a top Somali referee barred from entering the United States.

Scaloni gives encouraging update on Messi fitness ahead of World Cup

05-06-2026 22:05 National team coach Lionel Scaloni says skipper could play "a few minutes" in upcoming friendly matches, likely one of the two.

Injury-hit Argentina hope to reach full fitness at World Cup

05-06-2026 07:00 The composition of Lionel Scaloni’s squad clearly shows that he is ready to put his faith once more in the boys that took Argentina to glory in Qatar.

by Dan Edwards

Can Messi deliver again for Argentina at his final World Cup?

29-05-2026 00:37 It will be a record sixth World Cup for Lionel Messi, and the decision to delay his retirement is a relief for an entire nation.

Messi in, Mastantuono out – Argentina confirms 26-man squad for World Cup 2026

28-05-2026 20:10 Few surprises as Lionel Scaloni publishes his squad list for tournament in US, Canada and Mexico; River wonderkid Mastantuono out and no place for Buendía or Dybala; Youngers Nico Paz and Valentín Barco make the cut, along with Palmeiras striker ‘Flaco’ López.

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.

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