As part of their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the reigning world champions Argentina are set to earn a historic sum for a single friendly match. During the upcoming international break, Lionel Scaloni’s squad will face Angola, with the African nation reportedly paying an extraordinary fee for the fixture.
Angola’s Historic Investment
According to leading African sports media, including Sports News Africa, the Angola Football Federation (FAF) will pay Argentina $14 million (approximately 15.3 billion Bangladeshi Taka) for participating in this match. This represents one of the largest financial deals ever recorded for a friendly in global football history.
Match Context and Significance
The friendly has been organised as part of Angola’s 50th independence anniversary celebrations. Angola gained independence from Portuguese rule on 11 November 1975, and the match is expected to take place in mid-November 2025 to commemorate this milestone.
Inviting a powerhouse like Argentina provides Angola with a unique sporting spectacle, while also highlighting the country on the international football stage. Morocco had initially shown interest in arranging a friendly against Argentina, but Angola’s unprecedented financial offer ultimately secured the deal.
Argentina’s Preparation for the 2026 World Cup
Argentina currently tops the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. As part of their preparations, they have already played friendly matches against Venezuela and Puerto Rico, testing squad depth and tactical approaches.
For head coach Lionel Scaloni, this match also serves as an opportunity to assess emerging talent beyond his established World Cup squad. Promising youngsters expected to feature include:
| Player | Position |
|---|---|
| Valentin Barco | Defender |
| Panichelli | Midfielder |
| Maximo Perrone | Midfielder |
| Lautaro Rivero | Forward |
| Nico Paz | Midfielder |
| Franco Mastantuono | Forward |
Scaloni hopes the fixture will provide valuable experience to these players, helping to shape Argentina’s squad for the 2026 World Cup in USA, Canada, and Mexico.
While the Argentine Football Association (AFA) has yet to confirm the exact date and venue, football fans worldwide are eagerly anticipating what promises to be a memorable encounter between the two nations.