Argentina reject Morocco’s $1m offer for October friendly in Rabat

Morocco’s bid to host Argentina in an international friendly in October has been turned down, despite the FRMF reportedly offering about $1m to stage the match in Rabat.

The Moroccan federation had identified the reigning World Cup finalists as a headline opponent for the next international window, but the Association of Argentine Football (AFA) is understood to have rejected the proposal.

The offer was reported by Argentine journalist Veronica Brunati, who said the FRMF had put forward approximately one million dollars to arrange a meeting between Morocco and Argentina.

Morocco are seeking high-profile opposition as they continue to test themselves against leading international teams. Following their quarter-final appearance at the 2026 World Cup, the federation is working on a programme of prestigious fixtures for the Lions of the Atlas.

A match against Argentina would have provided a significant early test for Mohamed Ouahbi’s new team, only a few months after the World Cup. It would also have represented another indication of Morocco’s growing standing in international football.

However, the financial proposal was not enough to secure the fixture. According to the same report, the AFA’s decision was not related to the identity of Morocco as a potential opponent.

Instead, Argentina’s federation is believed to prefer playing its next friendly matches in Argentina, allowing the national team to reconnect with supporters during this post-World Cup period.

The AFA is still working on its schedule, with the opponents, dates and venues for Lionel Scaloni’s side yet to be finalised. A trip to Rabat therefore does not appear to fit into the federation’s immediate plans, despite the offer made by the FRMF.

Morocco must now pursue an alternative opponent for October. The federation’s intention appears to be to arrange regular matches against major football nations as the cycle towards the next major tournaments begins.

The Lions of the Atlas have established themselves as a stronger force on the international stage after reaching the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup and then progressing to the quarter-finals in 2026. A meeting with Argentina would have underlined that change in status.

The two sides will therefore have to wait for another opportunity to meet. Morocco still has several weeks to find another high-profile opponent for the October international window.