The match against the Central Americans emerged as an alternative after negotiations between UEFA and CONMEBOL failed to play the match against the continental champions. Faced with that scenario, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) moved quickly to secure a commitment in the March international window, but ran into a snag.
FIFA regulations prevent national teams from playing games on different continents on the same FIFA date, unless the distance between venues involves a flight of less than five hours. In this case, Guatemala has already scheduled a friendly match against Algeria on March 27 in Genoa, Italy, which conflicts with their trip to Buenos Aires a few days
later. Guatemala has a friendly match with Algeria in Italy
Faced with this situation, the AFA obtained special authorization to be able to play the friendly match. FIFA would have granted him the permit due to the logistical complications caused by the conflicts in the Middle East that led to the cancellation of his matches against Spain and Qatar in
Doha.
If it had been canceled, this would not have been the first time that a limitation of this type has affected Argentine planning. Last November, the national team was unable to move to Asia after facing Angola for the same reason. On that occasion, after the game against the Africans, the players returned directly to their respective clubs
.
The AFA seeks to close a second friendly
In the midst of uncertainty about the match against Guatemala, the AFA would be finalizing details to close a second friendly. As revealed by ESPN journalist Martín Arévalo, the National Team could have a match on Friday, March 27, although for now it has not been clear who the rival will be, nor the stadium where it would be
