Argentina play their only match of the November international break when they travel to Angola for a friendly on November 14.
The reigning world champions cruised through the usually fiercely competitive CONMEBOL qualifying section, winning 12 of 18 games and finishing top, nine points ahead of second-placed Ecuador.
After Friday's game, Lionel Scaloni's squad will report to a training camp in Spain.
Angola finished fourth in their CAF qualification group, so they will not compete in next year's finals in North America. Pedro Goncalves's side are 89th in the FIFA world rankings.
The game has been organised as part of the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of Angola's independence from Portugal.
MORE: Updated list of teams qualified for 2026 FIFA World Cup
Argentina lineup vs. Angola: Projected starting XI
Atletico Madrid trio Julian Alvarez, Giuliano Simeone and Nahuel Molina are unable to travel to Angola after failing to comply with the country's mandatory yellow fever vaccination requirements in time.
Those absences, along with Enzo Fernandez's knee problem and first-choice goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez being rested, mean Scaloni is likely to run the rule over some of his back-up players.
Aston Villa playmaker Emiliano Buendia is back in the squad for the first time in three years. Union St. Gilloise defender Kevin Mac Allister — the older brother of Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister — has received his first international call-up.
Kevin Mac Allister is one of four uncapped players in the squad alongside Como midfielder Maximo Perrone, Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni and Strasbourg forward Joaquin Panichelli.
Lionel Messi will captain the side. The veteran forward was a second-half substitute in the only previous meeting between these teams, way back in a friendly game in May 2006.
Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has joined up with the squad for the training camp but will not feature against Angola having not played since February due to a serious knee injury.
Argentina projected starting XI (4-4-2, right to left): Rulli (GK) — K. Mac Allister, Otamendi, Senesi, Tagliafico — De Paul, A. Mac Allister, Lo Celso, Buendia — Messi, Martinez
Full Argentina roster
Goalkeepers: Geronimo Rulli, Walter Benitez
Defenders: Nicolas Otamendi, Nicolas Tagliafico, Cristian Romero, Juan Foyth, Valentin Barco, Marcos Senesi, Kevin Mac Allister
Midfielders: Rodrigo De Paul, Giovani Lo Celso, Alexis Mac Allister, Thiago Almada, Nico Paz, Maximo Perrone, Emiliano Buendia
Forwards: Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Nicolas Gonzalez, Jose Manuel Lopez, Joaquin Panichelli, Guanluca Prestianni
Angola vs. Argentina match details
- Date: Friday, November 14, 2025
- Kickoff time: 5 p.m. Local / 11 a.m. ET / 8 a.m. PT / 9:30 p.m. IST / 3 a.m. AEDT (Nov. 15)
- Location: Estadio 11 de Novembro, Talatona (Angola)
- Competition: International friendly
- Last meeting: Argentina 2-0 Angola (May 30, 2006) | International friendly