Argentina’s friendly matches in Kerala likely to kickstart from October 25 next year

Thiruvananthapuram: As per the reports coming in, the friendly matches with the Argentinian national team are likely to commence in Kerala from October 25, 2025. The visitors are expected to play three matches in Kerala. The officials are trying to bring aboard the Argentinian squad who were crowned the champions of FIFA World Cup 2022. The opposition teams have not been fixed yet.

Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman told ‘Mathrubhumi News' that the “government is mulling on holding one of the matches at the stadium which is being constructed at Payyanad in Malappuram.” The possibility of holding the matches in other cities in the state is also being explored. The minister also said that “the matches will be held by raising money through sponsorships and special care will be taken to ensure that the event does not financially burden the Kerala government.”

The estimated budget of the entire event is Rs 100 crores. The organisers are expected to raise funds through television rights, ticket sales, and sponsorships. They will engage in further deliberations with the members of the Argentine Football Association regarding the event. The football experts from the Latin American country will start assisting the Kerala government in the latter’s ‘Goal Project’ starting from this year.

Kerala government is trying to build a high-class stadium in Payyanad which is expected to meet the FIFA standards using the KIIFB funds amounting to Rs 75 crores. Once the new stadium comes up, the current stadium in the region will be used for training purposes.