The Argentine Football Association (AFA) is currently awaiting permission from FIFA to allow the Guatemalan national football team to play a friendly match on March 31 at La Bombonera Stadium in Buenos Aires. This game is significant as it is expected to be the farewell match for the Argentine national team on home soil before the upcoming World Cup. Notably, it could also be Lionel Messi's final appearance in an Argentine jersey on home turf, adding emotional weight to the event.

There have been concerns regarding the scheduling of the Guatemalan team, as they are set to face Algeria just four days prior in Genoa, Italy. According to FIFA's regulations, a national team cannot compete on two different continents within the same international window, which raises questions about the feasibility of the friendly match taking place in Argentina. A source within the AFA expressed optimism, noting they are still waiting for FIFA's authorization, which is expected to arrive soon.

In addition to the match against Guatemala, AFA officials are exploring the possibility of arranging another national team as a rival. This flexibility could provide the team with an alternative option should the encounter with Guatemala face any delays or issues. The ramifications of these games are important for Argentina as they prepare for the World Cup, both in terms of final roster decisions and keeping fan enthusiasm high in the lead-up to the tournament.