According to information shared with Mundo Albiceleste by sources close to the Government of Kerala, Argentina’s planned friendly matches in India went through several scheduling changes before ultimately being postponed.
In late 2024, the Government of Kerala began working on a project to host international friendly matches featuring the Argentina national team. Reporter Broadcasting Company Pvt. Ltd. (RBC) was appointed as the official sponsor and organizer. On December 20, 2024, RBC signed an agreement with the Argentine Football Association (AFA), setting a fee of USD 7.5 million per match. The agreement included Lionel Messi’s participation for at least 45 minutes.
Before any payments were made, Kerala obtained all required approvals from the Government of India, including clearances from the relevant ministries and authorities. These approvals were granted after AFA confirmed in writing that the agreement was valid and could be carried out.
In June 2025, after receiving confirmations about match availability, RBC transferred USD 9 million plus taxes in connection with plans for two matches during the October international window. AFA acknowledged receipt of the payment, and discussions around planning continued.
Later that month, AFA informed the Kerala side that the agreement had lapsed earlier than expected. Following discussions, the parties agreed to revise the arrangement. An Addendum was signed to restructure the plan, reducing it to one match in the November 2025 window, while keeping the total match fee at USD 15 million.
After this revision, AFA publicly confirmed the match. In August 2025, AFA representatives visited the proposed stadium in Kerala, inspected facilities, and reviewed security arrangements. Match details were also shared for visa processing, and written confirmations were sent to senior Kerala officials.
Based on these confirmations, RBC made a second payment of USD 5.5 million plus taxes. In total, USD 14.5 million was paid toward match fees.
After this payment, AFA informed Kerala that FIFA authorization might not be possible due to international match scheduling regulations. As a result, the November match was not held.
In November 2025, a second revision was agreed, rescheduling the match for the March 2026 international window. This agreement included plans for regulatory applications, public announcements, and media activities. However, no public announcements followed.
In January 2026, AFA informed the Kerala side that approval for the March window was still uncertain and suggested exploring a later date, possibly after the 2026 World Cup.
According to sources close to the Government of Kerala, there is now strong dissatisfaction with how the process was handled by AFA. Officials in Kerala believe they acted in good faith throughout the negotiations, securing all necessary approvals from Indian authorities, honoring payment commitments, and relying on repeated written confirmations from AFA at multiple stages. The repeated postponements, shifting conditions, and lack of final clarity—despite substantial payments already made—have generated frustration within the state government and raised concerns related to planning, transparency, and accountability in the negotiations.
In parallel, sources close to the Government of Kerala noted that while Kerala was being asked to wait for clarity regarding FIFA authorization for the March 2026 international window, Argentina’s second friendly for that same window was publicly confirmed to be played in Qatar. According to these sources, Kerala officials believe AFA was already aware of the Qatar fixture while discussions with Kerala remained unresolved, which added to concerns over unequal treatment and the lack of timely disclosure during negotiations.
As of now, no Argentina match has taken place in Kerala. Discussions regarding a future date remain ongoing, while fans in India continue to wait for clarity on whether and when the Argentine national team will play in the country.
Gracias Roy for this article. As someone from Kerala, I was very angry and disappointed with our Govt and the corporate group who planned this.. But this article shed some light.
Adding some Context here:
Friends, please do know that India is really huuge and Kerala is tiny state in the southern tip. However, Kerala and West Bengal are the 2 major states who are crazy about Football in this country. Remember, after ’22WC win, AFA tweeted its thanks message which specifically mentioned Kerala.. Kerala has a huuuge following for Argentina and Brazil.. Even people from my village and city had managed tickets for many matches of Albiceleste including the finals..
I hosted a Colombian girl at home few days after the WC final, who was shocked to see the difference in attitude to Football in Kerala from the North of India.. She was in Mumbai for the finals and was shocked that not even the pub she went to was showing it. She arrive in Kerala and a few minutes outside the airport, saw this massive Flex Cut out of Messi, taller than the Coconut tree.
To my knowledge, even the Brazil fans were awaiting the arrival of Messi & Co in our city, but..
What disappointed us realy badly is in Dec 2025, Messi, De Paul and Luis Suarez arrived in India for some Corporate stupid event and went to 4 cities – none in Kerala – of which only one had serious interest in Football.. It just became an event for Indian celebrities to show off.. no games just showing Messi around..
If this friendly game had happened, that would have shocked Argentina. Football lovers would have given a welcome reminding Leo of the welcome team received upon arriving in Buenos Aires going to hotel… Such is the craze for Argentina & Brazil and Messi in this little land..
I dont know if the team will ever come here, would love it though.