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World champions Argentina will conclude their 2026 international calendar with two home friendly matches in November. The Albiceleste, led by Lionel Scaloni, will face South American rivals Uruguay at Buenos Aires' iconic La Bombonera on November 13. Following this, they will travel to Cordoba to play Costa Rica at the Mario Kempes Stadium on November 17.
This decision comes after plans for overseas friendlies against Saudi Arabia and India were reportedly abandoned due to logistical issues. These upcoming matches will notably mark a transition for the national team, as superstar Lionel Messi will not be participating. Messi, who recently made his farewell appearance against Benin, is set to miss these two fixtures. In his absence, Atletico Madrid defender Cristian Romero was named the new national team captain in September.
The Uruguay encounter is expected to be a major draw, given the historic football rivalry between the two nations. The match against Costa Rica will offer another chance to assess squad depth and provide international experience to players. Hosting both games at home allows Argentina to connect with fans in different cities as Scaloni continues to build his team for future challenges.
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