Argentina v Burkina Faso at risk as Etalons remain stranded in Morocco

Burkina Faso’s friendly against Argentina is in danger of being cancelled after the Etalons were left stranded in Morocco, with the match scheduled to take place at the Estadio Monumental on Saturday night.

The Burkina Faso delegation has been unable to travel to Buenos Aires after a flight planned for Wednesday was cancelled, according to a statement from the Federation burkinabe de football (FBF).

The team had been in Morocco following its opening two matches in qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. Burkina Faso drew 1-1 with Benin in Ouagadougou on 25 September before losing 1-0 to the Central African Republic in Casablanca on 28 September.

The disruption has caused concern among supporters, while efforts to find an alternative travel arrangement have so far failed.

Burkina Faso’s Minister of Sports, Annick Pikbougoum Zingue, FBF president Oumarou Sawadogo and the country’s ambassador to Morocco, Mamadou Coulibaly, have been unable to agree a contingency plan with the players.

The officials “are personally committed to finding a solution to unblock the situation, allowing the team to reach Buenos Aires as soon as possible and preserve the Etalons’ participation in this international fixture”, the FBF said.

That reassurance has not removed the uncertainty surrounding the match, however, with the limited time remaining before kick-off leaving its staging under threat.

The fixture would be the first meeting between Burkina Faso and Argentina in the modern era. It has generated significant interest among Burkina Faso supporters, particularly because it is expected to be Lionel Messi’s penultimate international appearance for the Albiceleste.