Football fans in India were disappointed as the country turned down the chance to host the World Champions, Argentina. The international break presented an exciting opportunity for the Indian audience to witness the renowned Argentina side in action. After their victory in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the World Champions, Argentina, had intended to organize friendly matches against India and Bangladesh. By organizing friendly matches against India and Bangladesh, Argentina wanted to show their gratitude towards the fans who provided them with overwhelming support during the tournament. Through this, They intended to express their gratitude to the fans for the incredible support they received.
However, India's decision to decline hosting Argentina was primarily due to the substantial costs involved. The Secretary General of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), Shaji Prabhakaran, explained that while the Argentine federation approached the AIFF for a friendly match, it was financially challenging to organize such an event without the support of a strong partner. The expenses associated with hosting Argentina, including the team's fees, amounted to a significant sum of $4-5 million (approximately Rs 32-40 crores).
Argentina, being the reigning World Champions and with Lionel Messi as their star player, commands high fees for their appearances. Given India's economic situation in football, it was not feasible to meet the financial demands of hosting Argentina without a robust partnership. Consequently, Argentina opted to play in other countries during this window, including Australia and Indonesia, to expand their global presence and express gratitude to their international fanbase.
Prabhakaran further acknowledged that a match between India, currently ranked 101 in the FIFA rankings, and the top-ranked World Champions would have resulted in a significant mismatch in terms of skill and competition. Although Argentina had previously played in India, when they defeated Venezuela at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata with a Nicolas Otamendi header from a Lionel Messi corner, hosting them as world champions would have created an entirely different atmosphere and excitement.
While Indian football enthusiasts missed the chance to witness Lionel Messi and the formidable Argentine team on home soil, the decision was made in consideration of the financial limitations and the disparity in rankings. Despite this setback, football fans in India eagerly await future opportunities to witness international football powerhouses competing in their country.