Is Lionel Messi’s Argentina Match in India Really Postponed?
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Synopsis
The highly awaited match featuring Lionel Messi and Argentina in India has been postponed due to FIFA's authorization delays. Initially scheduled for November 17, the new date will be revealed soon. Confusion surrounding the match's status has arisen, leaving fans eager for updates.
Key Takeaways
- Lionel Messi and Argentina's match in India has been postponed.
- Originally set for November 17, it will now be held during FIFA’s upcoming window.
- Postponement was due to delays in FIFA's permission.
- The match was announced by Anto Augustine, managing director of the sponsoring company.
- Confusion regarding the match status has been prevalent.
Kochi, Oct 25 (NationPress) Lionel Messi and the Argentine national team’s eagerly awaited match in India has been officially postponed. Initially set for November 17 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the match will now occur during FIFA’s forthcoming international window, as revealed on social media by Anto Augustine, the managing director of Reporter Broadcasting Company, the sponsor of this friendly encounter.
Anto Augustine, a prominent businessman from Kerala and the Managing Director of Emaraj Group International, elaborated on Facebook that the decision to postpone was due to a delay in obtaining permission from FIFA, the global governing body of football. He mentioned that the match in Kerala will be rescheduled for the next international window, with the new date to be announced soon.
“Given the delay in securing FIFA’s authorization, after consultations with the Argentine Football Association (AFA), it has been decided to delay the match from the November window,” Augustine stated.
Previously, Spanish media outlet La Nacion reported, citing an AFA official, that the three-time FIFA World Cup champions would not be traveling to Kerala. The reasons cited included the Indian state’s failure to meet the necessary requirements to host the match and “repeated breaches.”
“We did everything possible to ensure the match occurred in November; even a delegation traveled to India to inspect the field and accommodation… but ultimately, India couldn’t fulfill the requirements. Regrettably, there were multiple breaches by India, and we will have to reorganize the contract to establish a new date,” the AFA official remarked.
Since the announcement of this friendly match involving the World Champion Argentina by the Kerala Sports Minister, there has been significant confusion. At one point, the Minister even stated that the match was canceled, yet in August, the AFA confirmed that their team would still be playing in Kochi.
Recently, Argentine media indicated that the match in India might not take place in November and could be moved to March 2026.
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Point of View
It's essential to recognize the disappointment of fans regarding the postponement of this match. While the delay was unavoidable due to FIFA's requirements, we remain optimistic about the rescheduling and hope to see Lionel Messi grace Indian soil soon, highlighting the growing interest in football in the region.
NationPress
26/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Lionel Messi's match in India postponed?
The match was postponed due to a delay in receiving permission from FIFA, which is essential for hosting international fixtures.
When was the match originally scheduled?
The match was originally scheduled for November 17 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi.
What will happen next?
The match will be rescheduled for the next FIFA international window, with a new date to be announced soon.
What were the reasons for the postponement?
The postponement was primarily due to India's inability to meet the necessary requirements to host the match, as reported by the Argentine Football Association.
Is there a possibility of the match being canceled?
While the match is currently postponed, there is speculation about rescheduling; however, cancellation has not been confirmed.
