Argentina vs Mauritania: Friendly Match Details Before the World Cup

Argentina prepares to face Mauritania in a friendly at La Bombonera. The match is part of the final tune-up before the 2026 World Cup. Filmogaz.com brings the key details on teams, squads, and logistics.

Match logistics and broadcast

The fixture will take place Friday, March 27, at 20:15 local time. The venue is the Alberto J. Armando stadium, commonly called La Bombonera.

Telefe and TyC Sports will televise the game. Ticket sales sold out within hours of the online release.

• Plateas: between 150,000 and 490,000 pesos.
• General admission: 90,000 pesos for adults, 25,000 pesos for minors.

Purpose and squad choices

Coach Lionel Scaloni will use the friendly to test options before naming the 26-player World Cup squad. He originally called 30 players to this training window.

Surprise inclusions were Tomás Palacios (Estudiantes), Gabriel Rojas (Racing), and Gianluca Prestianni (Benfica). Lucas Martínez Quarta was summoned urgently to replace Leonardo Balerdi.

Injuries and first call

Gonzalo Montiel was ruled out due to a muscle injury. The problem came after River Plate’s match versus Estudiantes in Río Cuarto.

Agustín Giay received his first call to the senior national team. Giay previously played for San Lorenzo and now represents Palmeiras in Brazil.

Cultural addition: post-match show

Organizers scheduled a concert after the game. Performers include Pablo Lescano and the band Mala Fama.

Damas Gratis, led by Lescano, has more than twenty years of history. Their discography exceeds ten albums and includes hits popular across Latin America.

Mauritania: form, context and key players

Mauritania arrives with a six-match winless streak. That run includes three draws and three losses.

Their last victory was on September 5, 2023, against Togo in qualifying. In the 2026 qualifying cycle they competed in Group B.

• Group B opponents: Senegal, DR Congo, Sudan, Togo, South Sudan.
• Final position: second-to-last, seven points from ten matches.

Notable squad members include Said Imigene (Leganés), Oumar Ngom (Lecce), Aboubakary Koita (AEK Athens), and Lamine Ba. Transfermarkt lists Lamine Ba as the squad’s top-valued player.

Head-to-head and youth precedent

The senior teams have never met before. Their only prior encounter occurred at youth level in the 2024 L’Alcudia tournament.

Argentina won that youth match 2-1. Franco Mastantuono featured for Argentina and is now in Scaloni’s call-up. Beyatt Lekoueiry played for Mauritania and may appear again.

What follows and World Cup schedule

Argentina will play a second friendly on Tuesday, March 31, at the same stadium and time. The opponent will be Zambia.

The 2026 World Cup group stage schedule for Argentina is set in Group J. The team opens on Tuesday, June 16, at 22:00 versus Algeria at Kansas City Stadium.

• Second match: Monday, June 22, 14:00 at Dallas Stadium versus Austria.
• Third match: Saturday, June 27, 23:00 at Dallas versus Jordan.

Probable Argentina lineup

One possible XI includes Emiliano Martínez in goal. The backline could feature Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Marcos Senesi, and Nicolás Tagliafico.

Midfield options list Alexis Mac Allister, Leandro Paredes, and Enzo Fernández. Attack could pair Lionel Messi, Julián Álvarez, and Thiago Almada. Coach: Lionel Scaloni.

This preview covers Argentina vs Mauritania friendly match details before the World Cup. Filmogaz.com will continue following team news and updates.