Following multiple reports, it has been confirmed that reigning FIFA World Cup champions Argentina will play a friendly against Australia in China this year.
After being eliminated in Qatar by Lionel Messi's side, the Socceroos have another date with one of the world's powerhouse football nations.
However, the decision to host the game in Beijing has ruffled the feathers of some human rights activists.
The Sporting News takes a look at what we know so far.
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Will Argentina play Australia in a football friendly?
A friendly fixture between Argentina and Australia is officially locked in, announced by both the Australian and Argentine associations.
The match will take place at The Workers’ Stadium on Thursday, June 15 at 8:00 pm local time (10:00 pm AEST).
It marks the first friendly fixture between the two nations since 2007 when the Socceroos hosted La Albiceleste at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
A rematch with the World Champions! 🇦🇷🏆🤝
— Subway Socceroos (@Socceroos) May 22, 2023
We take on Argentina in Beijing next month!#Socceroos #ARGvAUS
“Football is truly the global game and for Australia to be invited to play this match in China, and against the world number one, we hope this will open further opportunities for our two nations to work together both on and off the football field,” Football Australia CEO James Johnson said.
The proposal was first reported by the New York Times earlier in May, with the Argentine Football Association the recipient of multiple bids to be able to host the reigning World Cup winners in a friendly.
Due to their recent success and star-studded squad, the starting price for a match with Argentina is reportedly north of US$5 million.
Off the back of their round-of-16 clash in Qatar, an independent promoter reached out to the respective Argentine and Australian federations, suggesting the idea of a match in China.
Why is Argentina vs. Australia taking place in China?
Football Australia confirmed in a statement that the match is taking place due to financial support from a number of Chinese investors.
"This match has been made possible by event organisers China Rainbow International Investment Co. Ltd, with support from Modun Group (Melbourne), Beijing Football Association, Beijing Yiyang Gengyun Sports Culture Co. Ltd, and Shanxi Provincial Sports Industry Group Co. Ltd," the statement read.
Football Australia's chief executive Johnson also told The Australian earlier in May that the Australian government’s policy to steady relations with China fits within the proposal.
These reports, however, have concerned human rights activists.
Former Socceroos captain and human rights advocate Craig Foster highlighted the situation of journalist Cheng Lei and pro-democracy writer Yang Hengjun - Australians currently behind bars in Beijing on "unspecified national security charges".
“If the Socceroos play in China, I am sure they’ll want to know about Cheng Lei and Yang Hengjun and to ensure their cases are amplified, provided the family members consider it safe and appropriate to do so,” he told the Brisbane Times.
Our squad is in for our rematch with Argentina! 💪
— Subway Socceroos (@Socceroos) June 6, 2023
📰 Read more: https://t.co/x47Zsp82C9
🇦🇷 v 🇦🇺: 15.6.23, 10pm AEST#Socceroos #ARGvAUS pic.twitter.com/bzsY0ol74n
Argentina vs. Australia head-to-head record, history
Australia have faced Argentina on eight separate occasions.
In the first match between the two nations, the Socceroos recorded a shock 4-1 victory at the Bicentennial Gold Cup.
However, it has been Argentine domination since, with the Albicelestes picking up six wins out of the following seven clashes.
The only draw between Australia and Argentina came in 1993 during a World Cup playoff match.
| Date | Competition | Score |
| Jul. 14, 1988 | Bicentennial Gold Cup | 4-1 AUS |
| Jun. 18, 1992 | International Friendly | 2-0 ARG |
| Oct. 31, 1993 | FIFA World Cup (play-off) | 1-1 DRAW |
| Nov. 17, 1993 | FIFA World Cup (play-off) | 1-0 ARG |
| Jun. 30, 1995 | International Friendly | 2-0 ARG |
| Jun. 18, 2005 | FIFA Confederations Cup | 4-2 ARG |
| Sep. 11, 2007 | International Friendly | 1-0 ARG |
| Dec. 4, 2022 | FIFA World Cup | 2-1 ARG |
Has Lionel Messi ever played against Australia?
Yes, Lionel Messi has featured in two matches against Australia.
He was in the starting XI of the Argentina side that beat the Socceroos 1-0 in a friendly at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 2007.
The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner didn't end up on the score sheet but was already the centre of attention as a fresh-faced 20-year-old.
Messi then featured again 15 years later against Australia in the World Cup, scoring the opening goal in their round-of-16 clash.
