Burkina Faso and Benin face costly fallout from Argentina friendlies

Burkina Faso and Benin were promised help with travel and accommodation for their October friendlies against Argentina, but both African football associations faced significant problems and unexpected costs, according to an investigation by Afrik-Foot.

The two matches were played on 3 and 6 October. Burkina Faso, represented entirely by an Under-23 side, were beaten 7-0 by the three-time world champions, while Benin lost 3-0 after holding Argentina for the first half.

The fixtures also marked a notable occasion for Lionel Messi. In addition to providing two assists, he scored his final Argentina goal from the penalty spot, taking his international total to 126 goals in 208 appearances. The match was played at the Estadio Monumental, the home of River Plate and Argentina.

The difficulties surrounding the visits, however, went well beyond the results.

Africa has supplied more opponents for Argentina in 2026 than any other continent. Argentina had already faced Mauritania, winning 2-1, and Zambia, winning 5-0, in March friendlies before beating Algeria 3-0, Cape Verde 3-2 and Egypt 3-2 at the 2026 World Cup. Burkina Faso and Benin then became the latest African teams to travel to South America.

Argentina have regularly arranged friendlies against lower-ranked opposition, including Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Iceland, Honduras, Bolivia and Indonesia. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has also faced criticism for the way it conducts such matches. That reputation could be affected by Messi’s retirement, given the large appearance fees the association negotiated for overseas fixtures by using his profile. AFA president Claudio Tapia and other officials have also been charged in a tax-evasion case.

Burkina Faso’s last-minute travel

The match involving Burkina Faso, agreed at the start of September, was reportedly supposed to cost the country nothing. EuroData Sport, led by Jairo Pachon, had told the Burkina Faso federation that the Argentine federation would cover travel, accommodation, food and transport in Buenos Aires.

After drawing 1-1 with Benin in Ouagadougou and 1-1 with Central African Republic in Casablanca, Morocco, in 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying, the Etalons rejected the travel arrangements agreed beforehand.

To avoid forfeiting the match, Burkina Faso called up its Under-23 players, who had been preparing for a friendly in Mali. Only Bebel Doumbia, who had also been selected for the matches against Benin and Central African Republic, agreed to travel. The government then chartered a private flight from Ouagadougou, which arrived in Buenos Aires about five hours before kick-off.

“It was difficult for the players to resist such an opponent after a long and exhausting journey, compounded by the time difference,” Traore said. He also questioned why Argentina, which had “necessarily made a lot of money from these two matches”, had not given Burkina Faso’s federation anything from television rights or ticket sales.

The Burkina Faso federation could seek reimbursement from EuroData Sport, but the government is estimated to have spent about 400,000 euros. Federation president Oumarou Sawadogo declined to comment. Ibrahim Traore, head of the ruling junta, is planning a major reform of what he describes as a “sick football”, despite the possible risk of FIFA suspension.

Benin forced to contribute

Benin travelled with its regular squad but also objected to the arrangements. The AFA and the organiser had promised to cover the Guepards’ travel and accommodation, using a low-cost flight, an allegedly poor-quality hotel and no participation payment.

According to a source close to new Benin Football Federation president Marcellin Bocove, the AFA paid 180,000 euros towards expenses, but the federation had to provide a further 60,000 euros. Afrik-Foot was unable to confirm the claim with Bocove, who could not be reached.