Official: La Bombonera to host Argentina for clash with Guatemala | OneFootball

Due to the inability to use the Monumental, the AFA will move the last match of the Albiceleste in the country to Brandsen 805 before traveling to North America.

After the cancellation of La Finalissima, the Argentine National Team rearranged its schedule for the FIFA date in March.

After working against the clock, an agreement was reached to face Guatemala next Tuesday the 31st, in a friendly match that will serve as a farewell for the team before embarking on the journey to the 2026 World Cup. And due to the impossibility of the Monumental hosting the match, the AFA has already decided on the venue.

With the usual home of the Albiceleste unavailable due to a series of AC/DC concerts on the 23rd, 27th, and 31st of this month, the governing body of Argentine football opted for La Bombonera.

With this intention, in the late hours of this Tuesday, the AFA formalized its intention to move the home game to Brandsen 805. Hours later, on Wednesday morning, the venue was officially confirmed.

This match against the Central American team will be the only commitment the Albiceleste will play during the upcoming international break. Once the match is over, the world champions will only reunite in the first week of June to prepare for the final stretch: there they have two friendlies scheduled in the United States to finish warming up before the tournament debut organized by the USA, Mexico, and Canada.

On their social networks, with a simple flyer of Lionel Messi and La Bombonera, the Argentine National Team made a post to confirm it: “Confirmed Stadium“. Against Guatemala, the Albiceleste will bid farewell to its fans before the World Cup.

Will the Qatar ritual be repeated?

Coincidence or not, the choice of La Bombonera brings a smile to the most superstitious fans. The Xeneize stadium was the venue used by the National Team to say goodbye to the country before the 2022 World Cup. Back then, Argentina defeated Venezuela 3-0 in the last round of the Qualifiers, creating a festive atmosphere identical to what is expected to be replicated against Guatemala.

However, the most recent precedent of the Albiceleste playing in La Ribera does not hold the best memories. The last time the National Team played there as the home team was in November 2023, when they suffered a tough 2-0 defeat against Uruguay, in the fifth round of the Qualifiers. Now, with the farewell atmosphere, the team will seek to change that last image and travel north of the continent with high spirits to defend the crown.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.