Burkina Faso race to Argentina after flight cancellation disrupts friendly plans

Burkina Faso are expected to arrive in Argentina only eight hours before their friendly against the world champions after a cancelled flight caused major disruption to their preparations.

Argentina are due to host the Stallions at the Estadio Monumental early on Sunday at 03:00, although a later statement from the Burkina Faso Football Federation referred to the fixture taking place on Saturday, 3 October 2026.

The federation said the team’s scheduled flight from Morocco on 30 September had been cancelled by the airline without prior warning. Despite efforts to rearrange the journey, some players reportedly objected to the length of the proposed travel and decided not to make the trip.

In a statement, the federation said the Ministry of Sports, the federation and Burkina Faso’s embassy had been working to find a solution that would allow the delegation to continue to Buenos Aires.

Minister of Sports, Youth and Employment Bikpougoum Zingue Ouattara, federation president Oumarou Sawadogo and Burkina Faso’s ambassador to Morocco were all personally involved in attempts to resolve the situation and preserve the team’s participation.

The federation said it understood supporters’ concerns and would provide updates, while thanking fans, partners and others involved in Burkinabe football for their support and understanding.

A few hours later, it announced that a charter flight had been arranged. However, several key players did not travel with the squad.

Head coach Amir Abdou has responded by calling up a number of players from the reserve national team, referred to in the statement as the “A” team, to strengthen the squad.

“Burkina Faso’s Stallions left Casablanca on Friday evening on a special flight bound for Buenos Aires, where they will face Argentina on the night of Saturday, 3 October 2026,” the federation said.

“National coach Amir Abdou will approach this match without several of his key players, who did not travel with the delegation. However, giving up on the challenge is not an option.”

The federation described the call-ups as an opportunity for the younger players to prove themselves internationally and represent the “Land of Upright Men” with pride.

According to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, match organisers considered changing Argentina’s opponents if Burkina Faso failed to arrive on time. Benin’s delegation is already in Argentina ahead of Lionel Messi’s farewell match on Tuesday.

The organisers decided that Benin would replace Burkina Faso if the Stallions did not meet the expected arrival deadline.

Burkina Faso’s most recent match was a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Central African Republic in Morocco on 28 September. They had previously drawn 1-1 with Benin in the opening round.

Argentina have played one friendly during the current international break, beating Bolivia 4-0. They also recently faced African opposition in friendlies against Angola in November 2025, and Mauritania and Zambia in March.

At the 2026 World Cup, Argentina beat Algeria 3-0 in the group stage before defeating Cape Verde and Egypt 3-2 in the last 32 and last 16 respectively.