Argentina Revises Exhibition Match Plans: Faces Costa Rica in Los Angeles, Dropping Nigeria

The World Cup-winning team from Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, is set to face Costa Rica in a friendly match on March 26 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. This adjustment replaces the previously planned game against Nigeria, marking a significant change in the team's schedule, which also involved a venue switch.

Initially, Argentina's tour was slated to include matches against Nigeria in Hangzhou and Ivory Coast in Beijing, spanning from March 18-26 as part of a Chinese tour. However, the tour was called off following Messi's non-participation in a preseason match with Inter Miami in Hong Kong, leading to a rescheduling of matches. Argentina had previously announced games against El Salvador on March 22 in Philadelphia and Nigeria on March 26 in Los Angeles, but plans changed due to visa-related administrative issues.

Messi's absence from the Hong Kong match on February 4 was attributed to a groin injury, a situation that led to dissatisfaction among fans. Nevertheless, Messi returned to play in Tokyo against Vissel Kobe three days later.

In addition to the Los Angeles fixture, Argentina has scheduled friendlies against Ecuador and Guatemala in June, in Chicago and Maryland, respectively. As the reigning world and South American champions, Argentina will kick off the Copa América campaign facing either Canada or Trinidad and Tobago on June 20 in Atlanta, followed by matches against Chile and Peru in New Jersey and Florida, respectively.