Argentina Football Match in Kochi Postponed, No Messi Visit in November

Kerala football enthusiasts will have to wait longer to witness Lionel Messi and the Argentina national team in action. The highly anticipated friendly match scheduled for November 17 at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kochi has been postponed indefinitely.

Event sponsor Anto Augustine announced the postponement on October 25, citing delays in obtaining FIFA’s approval as the primary reason for the change. The decision came after discussions with the Argentine Football Association, which requested moving the match from the November international window to a later date.

FIFA Approval Delays Force Rescheduling

Augustine stated on Facebook that the postponement was necessary due to complications in securing FIFA clearance for the fixture. He assured fans that a new date would be announced during the next available international window, though specific details remain unclear at this time. The Argentine Football Association had previously sent representatives to inspect the Kochi stadium’s facilities, indicating serious preparations were underway.

State Government Yet to Receive Official Notification

Kerala’s Sports Minister V Abdurahiman’s office confirmed they have not yet received official notification about the postponement. An official spokesperson said the government will coordinate with concerned authorities to confirm the revised schedule once formal communication is received. This delay in official channels has left many unanswered questions about when the match will ultimately take place.

The postponement marks a significant disappointment for football fans across Kerala, who were eagerly anticipating witnessing one of the greatest footballers of all time in their state.