Lionel Messi on bench as confirmed groups and full lineups function Enzo Fernandez and Alexis Mac Allister in worldwide pleasant forward of 2026 World Cup

Argentina proceed their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by taking over Mauritania on Friday within the first of two unexpectedly organized friendlies.

Lionel Scaloni’s facet had been set to play Spain within the Finalissima in Qatar on March 27 earlier than the match was referred to as off over the battle within the Center East.

They then organised a house match in opposition to Guatemala, who needed to pull out as a result of they face Algeria in Genoa 4 days earlier and FIFA laws don’t permit groups to play on two continents inside the identical worldwide window.

101GreatGoals.com has the crew information and beginning line-ups as Argentina play at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires, which is the house of Boca Juniors and has a capability of greater than 57,000.

Argentina confirmed crew vs Mauritania

Whereas many followers are determined to see Messi play each time his groups are in motion, head coach Lionel Scaloni’s beginning line-up seems to replicate a choice to make use of the 38-year-old sparingly with the World Cup underneath three months away.

Messi, who’s on the bench, has a historical past of struggling accidents on worldwide responsibility. “After his return, we are going to merely monitor how he’s feeling daily,” his Inter Miami boss, Javier Mascherano, mentioned after his captain scored and performed the total 90 minutes in an MLS win over New York Metropolis on Sunday.

“Clearly, he is a crucial participant for us if we’re to realize our targets. Fairly frankly, with out him, it will be unattainable for us to succeed in the objectives now we have set for ourselves.

“That mentioned, we additionally perceive that he’s reaching the ultimate stretch [before the World Cup].”

Scaloni is with out defenders Leonardo Balerdi and Gonzalo Montiel and midfielder Giovani Lo Celso by means of harm.

Ahead Lautaro Martinez has a minor niggle, so Julian Alvarez has an opportunity to stake his declare for an everyday beginning place.

Argentina beginning XI: Emiliano Martinez, Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Marcos Senesi, Huevo Acuna; Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister, Nico Paz, Nico Gonzalez, Julian Alvarez, Thiago Almada

Argentina substitutes: Juan Musso, Geronimo Rulli, Lucas Martinez Quarta, Santiago Rojas, Agustin Giay, Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul, Lionel Messi, Exequiel Palacios, Maximo Perrone, Giovanni Simeone, Nicolas Otamendi, Nicolas Lopez, Franco Mastantuono, Valentin Barco

Mauritania full line up vs Argentina

Rangers winger winger Djeidi Gassama makes his Mauritania debut after switching allegiance from France.

Defender Nouh Mohamed El Abd had been an harm doubt and is on the bench.

Visiting head coach Aritz Lopez Garai, who has performed and managed within the Spanish second division, found his facet may very well be enjoying Argentina final Friday.

“The federation president informed me there was a risk,” Garia mentioned, chatting with Ole. “He didn’t verify it as a result of the paperwork was nonetheless pending, and all the things accelerated with the announcement that the match was confirmed.”

Garia performed in a 2-1 defeat and 5-0 thrashing in opposition to Messi’s Barcelona whereas he was a midfielder with Cordoba.

“We aspire to be aggressive, however we’re going to face the perfect participant on this planet. I consider this shall be a novel alternative for my gamers to showcase themselves on a worldwide stage.

“Taking part in with Messi at La Bombonera, the final word stadium, is a rare motivation for any participant, and now we have to know the best way to management that pleasure so it doesn’t backfire.

“A match of this magnitude is a superb alternative; circumstances have merely unfolded this manner. For Mauritania, this can be a once-in-a-lifetime occasion.”

Mauritania beginning XI: Babacar Diop, Ibrahima Keita, Lamine Ba, Jordan Lefort, Aly Abeid, Maata Magassa, Oumar Ngom, Beyatt Lekoueiry, Aboubakary Koita, Mamadou Diallo, Djeidi Gassama

Mauritania substitutes: Abderrahmane Sarr, Khadim Diaw, Demine Saleck, Nouh Med El Abd, Abdalahi Mahmoud, El Hacen El Id, Guessouma Fofana, Yacoub Sidi, Papa Ndiaga Yade, Amar Sidi Bouna, Idrissa Thiam, Souleymane Anne

The place to observe Argentina vs Mauritania: TV channel, stay on-line streams

Argentina vs Mauritania begins at 20:15 native time (23:15 GMT / 18:15 ET / 15:15 PT) and is being proven stay on beIN Sports activities and Vix.

Argentina v Mauritania stats

• Argentina have gained their final three video games with out conceding
• They haven’t misplaced in Buenos Aires since 2023
• Argentina haven’t misplaced to an African crew since 2017