Argentina's Lionel Messi (C) enters the field before the South American qualification football match ... [+]
The Estadio Mâs Monumental in Buenos Aires is the biggest stadium in South America and the historical home of the Argentine national team. However the next time that Messi and his team play in Argentina, they will do so in another location. This news has finally been confirmed after a rollercoaster of confusion for fans and players alike.
Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay will play Argentina at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires this November. It will be just the fifth Argentina game in ten years at the famous home of Boca Juniors.
Argentina are four wins from four in South American qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026. The World Cup Champions are steaming ahead of the pack on the road to Mexico, Canada and the USA. Uruguay have also got off to a flyer under new boss Marcelo Bielsa; he has honed the skills of the likes of Darwin Núñez, who starred in their recent victory over Brazil. The Bombonera is set for a classic.
Argentina's Lionel Messi takes control of the ball during the South American qualification football ... [+]
In the past week or two the proposed venue for the Argentina V Uruguay game was changed three times. The assumption was always El Monumental, but has become impossible because the stadium is playing host to Taylor Swift and her record breaking tour.
Taylor is in town on the 9th, 10th and 11th of November with Argentina due to host Uruguay on the 16th. The Argentina squad would prefer the usual comfort of River Plate’s stadium for the big game but ultimately the pitch won’t be in the right shape to aid their march to the next World Cup.
Evidence of this was shown in River Plate’s home victory over Independiente in the league this week. The pitch was a complete mess after concerts had taken place in the stadium in the days prior. This simply wouldn’t be good enough for a World Cup qualifier.
The Estadio Mas Monumental prior a match between River Plate and Independiente as part of group A of ... [+]
River Plate have been taking advantage of their newly renovated stadium by holding a host of gigs in order to bring vital finances into the club. Sadly this time it has come at the expense of the football. Before La Bombonera was confirmed as the new host of the match this week, the game was officially set to be played at the Estadio Mario Kempes in Cordoba.
Rumour has it that manager Lionel Scaloni and captain Lionel Messi were less than pleased with such ideas, and with that the Argentine Football Association had to arrange crunch meetings even after officially changing the venue to Cordoba with CONMEBOL.
Messi and Scaloni have got used to playing on the best pitch in the capital, could you blame them for wanting to stay put? The record at home is good and so why change it?
It’s also worth considering that Argentina’s headquarters are in Buenos Aires, right beside Ezeiza airport and the likes of La Bomboanera and El Monumental. Considering the national squad fly in from all over the world for games, once they do arrive any extra time spent travelling is an unnecessary headache.
Once it became obvious that the Monumental pitch wouldn’t hold up after the upcoming concerts; the association opted for La Bombonera. In doing so they have answered Messi and his teammates' plea to stay in the capital, where their routine is familiar and their journey is a little shorter.
La Bombonera is close to half the size of El Monumental but nevertheless it is a unique cathedral of football. The steep stands will be filled with roaring fans. There is no doubt that Argentina can use that to keep their winning run in South American qualifying alive.
Lionel Messi of Argentina drives the ball during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualification match ... [+]
