Córdoba hosts Argentina’s first match of the September window on Wednesday, with Bolivia arriving at the Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium for a 21:00 Brasília-time friendly. It is the opening stop in a three-game home programme for Lionel Scaloni’s world champions.
Lionel Messi will not feature against Bolivia, giving Scaloni room to look further into the next phase of his squad. The coach has used training to examine younger options alongside the established attacking pair of Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez.
Quick facts
- Match: Argentina v Bolivia
- Date: Wednesday, 30 September 2026
- Kick-off: 21:00 Brasília time
- Venue: Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium, Córdoba
- Broadcast: Sportv
- Argentina coach: Lionel Scaloni
- Bolivia coach: Óscar Villegas
Agustín Giay, Franco Mastantuono and Nicolás Paz have all been tested in Scaloni’s preparations. Emiliano Martínez is expected in goal, with Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez and Facundo Medina among the likely starters.
Argentina are set to use Exequiel Palacios and Alexis Mac Allister in midfield, while Mastantuono and Paz could operate behind Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez. The fixture offers a different setting from the pressure of competitive South American qualifying, but carries clear value for players pushing to establish themselves.
Bolivia travel south after a 2-0 friendly defeat to Paraguay in the United States on Sunday. Guillermo Viscarra is expected to start in goal, with Miguel Terceros among the visitors’ main attacking outlets.
Óscar Villegas could select Diego Arroyo, Luis Haquín and Marcelo Morales across the back, with Roberto Fernández, Gabriel Villamíl, Carlos Melgar, Héctor Cuéllar and Ervin Vaca in midfield. Daniel Ribera is also expected to be involved up front.
After Córdoba, Argentina move to Buenos Aires for two further friendlies at River Plate’s Monumental. Burkina Faso visit on Saturday, before Benin arrive next Tuesday for a match billed as Messi’s farewell appearance for the Argentina national team.
