Argentina vs Panama

Argentina will play their first match since lifting the 2022 World Cup when they host Panama in a friendly on Thursday.

If he wants to continue playing — the '10' will always be his." When he changes ideas, I'll try to convince him." To continue to come back and until he says otherwise, we'll keep going. "No, I'm not going to be retiring from the Argentina national team," he told TyC Sports. "Being in the next World Cup will be Leo’s decision; if his body can take it for me, he will be there," Scaloni said. Scaloni also looked to lure Messi back for the 2026 World Cup immediately after their final win over France by saying: "Messi should have a place in the next World Cup.

La Albiceleste will face Los Canaleros on Thursday, March 23, at 7:30 pm ET at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Panama will try to hold the fort on this one, but it will be tough as the Albiceleste wants to give his people something to celebrate after their win at the World Cup. The biggest disappointment is that the debut of Manchester United’s man, Garnacho will have to wait due to injury. They come to this game as world champions for the first time.

Sports Mole previews Friday's friendly clash between Argentina and Panama, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

[Click here](https://sporita.com/?utm_source=sportsmole&utm_campaign=174275)to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data [Jorge Dely Valdes](/people/jorge-dely-valdes/) – stepping in for the absent Christensen – will line up his side on Friday, but a structured back-five approach seems likely in an attempt to thwart the attacking threat the world champions are set to pose. [ruling out international retirement](/football/argentina/world-cup-2022/news/messi-rules-out-retirement-following-world-cup-triumph_502284.html) soon after lifting the World Cup and receiving the Player of the Tournament award, Messi has been selected in Scaloni's 34-man squad for this month's international break, with the 35-year-old just two goals away from reaching the 100-goal milestone with Argentina. [Lionel Scaloni](/people/lionel-scaloni/) – the youngest manager (44) at the 2022 World Cup – was the architect behind Argentina's road to glory, and has since been rewarded with both a new contract until 2026 and The Best FIFA Men's Coach award for 2022. [Alfredo Stephens](/people/alfredo-stephens/), who has scored just once in 21 appearances for Panama, is set to lead the line up front, while five-cap [Ronaldo Cordoba](/people/ronaldo-cordoba/) could also push for a starting berth. [Maximo Perrone](/people/maximo-perrone/), [Facundo Buonanotte](/people/facundo-buonanotte/) and [Valentin Carboni](/people/valentin-carboni/), and defender [Lautaro Blanco](/people/lautaro-blanco/) are all in line to make their international debut, although a start for any of the quartet is unlikely.