āϏāĻšāĻāĻžāϰ⧠āĻļāĻŋāĻā§āώāĻ
ā§Šā§Ļ āϏā§āĻĒā§āĻā§āĻŽā§āĻŦāϰ, ⧍ā§Ļ⧍ā§Ŧ ā§Ļā§§:ā§Ģ⧍ āĻ āĻĒāϰāĻžāĻšā§āĻŖ
Argentina vs Bolivia 2026: Kickoff Time, Live Stream, Lineups & Prediction
đArgentina vs Bolivia Todays Live Match
Argentina vs Bolivia 2026: Kickoff Time, Live Stream, Lineups & Prediction
Argentina return to the pitch for the first time since the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. The 1-0 extra-time defeat to Spain still stings, and Lionel Messi's international retirement has redrawn the entire picture for La Albiceleste. On Wednesday night at the Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes in CÃŗrdoba, Lionel Scaloni's side begins a new era with a friendly against Bolivia. Argentina vs Bolivia is far more than a routine friendly â it is the first glimpse of what Argentina look like in the post-Messi era.
If you searched "argentina vs bolivia", "argentina match time" or "argentina next match", this is your complete guide: exact kickoff time, how to watch live, probable lineups for both teams, head-to-head record, whether Messi is playing, and our match prediction. Everything in one place.
Argentina vs Bolivia Kickoff Time and Date 2026
Let's get the most important detail straight first. The match kicks off at 9:00 PM local time (ART) on Wednesday, 30 September 2026 in CÃŗrdoba, Argentina. Converted across time zones:
Region | Date & Time |
Argentina (ART) | Wed 30 Sep, 9:00 PM |
Bangladesh (BST) | Thu 1 Oct, 6:00 AM |
India (IST) | Thu 1 Oct, 5:30 AM |
UK (BST) | Thu 1 Oct, 1:00 AM |
USA Eastern (ET) | Wed 30 Sep, 8:00 PM |
USA Pacific (PT) | Wed 30 Sep, 5:00 PM |
For fans in Bangladesh: set your alarm for 6:00 AM on Thursday, 1 October. The argentina vs bolivia kickoff time in Bangladesh is early morning â right after Fajr prayers, take your position in front of the screen.
Argentina Fixtures: Full October Friendly Schedule
The Bolivia game is the first of three home friendlies Argentina will play in this FIFA window. Here is the complete argentina match schedule:
Date | Match | Venue | Bangladesh Time |
1 Oct | Argentina vs Bolivia | Mario Alberto Kempes, CÃŗrdoba | 6:00 AM |
4 Oct | Argentina vs Burkina Faso | Monumental, Buenos Aires | 6:00 AM |
7 Oct | Argentina vs Benin | Monumental, Buenos Aires | 5:00 AM |
Argentina vs Burkina Faso is on Saturday 3 October at 9:00 PM ART (6:00 AM Bangladesh time, 4 Oct). The most emotional night â Argentina vs Benin â is on Tuesday 6 October at 8:00 PM ART (5:00 AM Bangladesh time, 7 Oct): Messi's farewell match. Save these dates.
Is Messi Playing Against Bolivia?
Short answer: no. Lionel Messi will not play against Bolivia. He remains with Inter Miami and will feature in only one match this window â the farewell game against Benin on 6 October.
Messi has announced his retirement from international football, and the Argentine Football Association (AFA) has designated the Benin match as his official send-off. If you want to watch Messi's last dance in the Albiceleste shirt, wait until 6 October.
But Messi's absence doesn't diminish this match â quite the opposite. How Argentina perform without Messi is the biggest question of this new cycle, and the search for answers begins against Bolivia.
First Match Since the World Cup Final: A New Era Begins
To understand the context of Argentina vs Bolivia, look back a few months. Argentina lost the 2026 World Cup final 1-0 to Spain in extra time, missing the chance to win back-to-back titles. Since then, the squad has undergone major change â headlined by Messi's retirement.
Cristian Romero now wears the captain's armband. The Tottenham defender leads Argentina into the post-Messi era. Scaloni's challenge is clear: build a new generation with an eye on the 2030 World Cup. This friendly series is step one of that process.
There is also the matter of FIFA sanctions. Leandro Paredes (10 matches) and Nahuel Molina (7 matches) were banned for incidents during the World Cup, and because these friendlies are not classified as Class A matches, their suspensions won't be served here â both miss this window. Juan Foyth and NicolÃĄs Tagliafico are fitness doubts.
One more wrinkle: the Kempes will operate at 50% capacity as part of FIFA's punishment of the AFA (which was also fined USD 321,000 for misconduct and discriminatory chants). No full house in CÃŗrdoba, but the atmosphere will still be electric.
Argentina Probable Lineup vs Bolivia
Scaloni hasn't confirmed the starting XI, but TyC Sports reports from training give a strong picture of the probable argentina lineup (4-4-2):
Goalkeeper: Emiliano MartÃnez
Defense: AgustÃn Giay, Cristian Romero (c), Lisandro MartÃnez, Facundo Medina
Midfield: Exequiel Palacios, Alexis Mac Allister, Franco Mastantuono, NicolÃĄs Paz
Attack: JuliÃĄn Ãlvarez, Lautaro MartÃnez
The headline: youth. Franco Mastantuono and NicolÃĄs Paz are seen as the future of Argentine football. Alongside them, established stars like Romero, Mac Allister, Ãlvarez and Lautaro provide balance. With no Messi, the attacking burden falls squarely on the ÃlvarezâLautaro partnership.
Note: this is the probable lineup, not the official one. The confirmed team sheet comes out an hour before kickoff.
Bolivia Team Preview: La Verde's Challenge
Bolivia arrive in CÃŗrdoba in rough shape. Ãscar Villegas' side have lost four straight â 4-0 to Scotland, 4-0 to Algeria, and most recently 2-0 to Paraguay on Sunday in the United States. La Verde can't buy a goal right now: zero goals in their last two outings.
Bolivia's 26-man squad includes goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra, captain Luis HaquÃn, Roberto FernÃĄndez, Gabriel Villamil, Ramiro Vaca and Miguel Terceros. The notable absence is veteran keeper Carlos Lampe, left out of the squad entirely.
Bolivia's traditional strength is their home venue â the altitude of La Paz leaves visiting teams gasping. In CÃŗrdoba, at near sea level, that advantage disappears. Away from home, Bolivia are usually poor â Argentina's biggest edge.
Argentina vs Bolivia Head to Head Record
The head-to-head record heavily favors Argentina. La Albiceleste haven't lost to La Verde in their last five meetings, and at home against Bolivia, Argentina almost always win.
The famous exception: Bolivia's stunning 6-1 demolition of Argentina in La Paz in 2009, one of the most humiliating defeats in Argentine history. But that was at altitude. In CÃŗrdoba, there's no such fear.
Stat | Detail |
Argentina defeats in last 5 H2H | 0 |
Bolivia's current form | 4 straight losses |
Bolivia goals in last 2 matches | 0 |
Argentina FIFA ranking | 2nd |
Venue: Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes
The Mario Alberto Kempes in CÃŗrdoba is one of Argentina's most historic stadiums â it hosted matches at the 1978 World Cup. Taking the national team outside Buenos Aires continues a proud tradition.
This time with a twist: FIFA sanctions limit capacity to 50%. The AFA was fined USD 321,000 for misconduct, discriminatory chants and displaying a Malvinas flag during the World Cup, and has prepared an appeal.
Argentina vs Bolivia Live Stream: How to Watch
Now the key question â where can you watch Argentina vs Bolivia live?
In Argentina: TyC Sports, Telefe and DSports on TV; TyC Sports Play, DGO and Pluto TV online.
In the USA: live streaming on ViX.
In Bangladesh/India: no official broadcaster has been announced yet for this friendly. The most reliable way to follow the 6:00 AM kickoff on your phone is a free live-score app â goals, cards and substitutions updated in real time. Post-match highlights will be available on official sports platforms.
A word of caution: avoid shady "free live streaming" sites promising the match â they carry malware and scam risks. Stick to legitimate, official sources only.
Young Stars to Watch: Mastantuono and Nico Paz
The biggest question of the post-Messi era â who becomes the next hero? This match may offer the first hints. Franco Mastantuono's dribbling and pace, NicolÃĄs Paz's vision and passing range â both get their chance to announce themselves.
Scaloni has clearly begun building toward 2030, and this friendly series is his laboratory. With Ãlvarez and Lautaro alongside them, the blend of youth and experience looks promising.
Argentina vs Bolivia Prediction
On paper, this is a mismatch. Second-ranked Argentina versus a Bolivia side on a four-match losing streak that hasn't scored in two games. At home, Argentina are near-unbeatable against Bolivia.
Prediction: Argentina 3-0 Bolivia. Lautaro MartÃnez and JuliÃĄn Ãlvarez are the most likely scorers. Expect Scaloni to rotate heavily in the second half, so watch for flashes from the youngsters.
Why You Can't Miss This Match
Three reasons: first, it's the national team's first game since the World Cup final â the start of a new chapter. Second, it's Argentina's first test without Messi â the future gets drawn here. Third, it's the stage for Mastantuono, Paz and the next generation â the first glimpse of the coming decade's stars.
A 6:00 AM alarm is a small price for history. The first page of Argentina's post-Messi story gets written in CÃŗrdoba.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When is Argentina vs Bolivia?
Wednesday 30 September, 9:00 PM Argentina time â 6:00 AM Bangladesh time on Thursday 1 October.
Is Messi playing against Bolivia?
No. Messi plays only the farewell match against Benin on 6 October.
Where can I watch Argentina vs Bolivia live?
TyC Sports/Telefe in Argentina, ViX in the USA. No official broadcaster announced for Bangladesh/India yet â follow live-score apps.
Who is Argentina's captain now?
Cristian Romero, following Messi's international retirement.
When is Argentina's next match?
Vs Burkina Faso on 3 Oct (6:00 AM BD, 4 Oct) and vs Benin on 6 Oct (5:00 AM BD, 7 Oct) â the latter is Messi's farewell.
Who coaches Bolivia?
Ãscar Villegas. Captain: Luis HaquÃn.
Why is the stadium half empty?
FIFA sanctions limit the Kempes to 50% capacity.
Who leads the head-to-head record?
Argentina â unbeaten against Bolivia in the last five meetings.
ā§§ā§Ŧ
⧍ā§Ŧ āĻŽāύā§āϤāĻŦā§āϝ