Argentina turn down Morocco’s $1m offer for international friendly

The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has reportedly rejected a bumper offer from the Royal Moroccan Football Federation for an international friendly match in October.

The Moroccan FA had been working to secure a high-profile friendly with the 2022 World Cup champions in the upcoming international break as part of the Atlas Lions’ preparations for their future competitions.

As per reports, the North African football powerhouse submitted an offer of $1 million to the Argentine FA in a bid to host the Albiceleste at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat next month.

The proposal was understood to be part of Morocco’s broader efforts to arrange high-profile fixtures against some of the strongest national teams in world football.

However, despite the financial offer and negotiations reportedly reaching an advanced stage, Argentina are said to have decided not to accept the proposal.

The Argentine FA’s decision is reportedly based on their preference to play the upcoming friendly matches on home soil, rather than traveling to Morocco during the October international window.

The South Americans football heavyweights’ decision was not motivated by the $1 million offer and was not connected to any sporting concerns regarding Morocco.

Instead, the Argentine federation is understood to be considering its overall schedule and the opportunity to give supporters in Argentina the chance to watch the national team at home.

That decision has now placed the proposed Morocco-Argentina encounter in jeopardy, despite the significant progress that had reportedly been made between the two federations.

A meeting between the two sides would have been one of the standout international friendlies of the October window, given the strength and profile of both teams.

Morocco have established themselves among the leading national teams in Africa and have continued to build on their historic run at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, while Argentina remain one of the most powerful teams in international football.

The Atlas Lions have also made a strong commitment to facing elite opposition in preparation for major competitions, making a fixture against Argentina an attractive proposition for both the team and supporters.

Playing Argentina in Rabat would also have provided Morocco with the opportunity to test themselves against a side renowned for its technical quality, tactical discipline and experience at the highest level.

Despite the setback, the Moroccan FA is expected to continue searching for other high-profile opponents for the October window rather than abandon its plans for a quality friendly.

The Moroccan federation has placed considerable importance on securing competitive matches that can help the national team maintain its development and prepare adequately for upcoming official assignments.

Before the October window, Morocco will first turn its attention to the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

The Atlas Lions are scheduled to open their qualifying campaign against Gabon on September 25 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.

The encounter is set to kick off at 7:00pm GMT, with South African referee Abongile Tom appointed to officiate the match.

Morocco will then travel to South Africa for their second qualifying fixture against Lesotho on September 29.

That match will be played at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein, with kick-off scheduled for 1:00pm GMT.

The national team will therefore have a busy period ahead as preparations intensify for their upcoming official commitments.

For now, however, the possibility of seeing Morocco face Argentina in Rabat in October appears to have suffered a major blow, with the Argentine federation reportedly choosing home fixtures despite Morocco’s $1 million offer.

Unless there is a change in Argentina’s plans or the two federations reach a new agreement, the proposed blockbuster friendly could ultimately fail to materialise.