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Argentina hosts Bolivia in an international friendly on Wednesday, September 30, with kickoff at 8:00 PM ET. In the United States, the match streams on ViX Premium, and no U.S. linear TV broadcast has been confirmed. The match opens a three-game home series built around Lionel Messi’s farewell, although Messi will sit out this one and is expected to play only the final match of the window.
Watch Argentina vs Bolivia on ViX Premium via Prime Video — Check Free Trial Eligibility
| Match | Argentina vs Bolivia |
| Date | Wednesday, September 30, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 8:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM CT |
| Competition | International Friendly |
| U.S. TV | None confirmed |
| U.S. Stream | ViX Premium on Prime Video |
| Venue | Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes, Cordoba, Argentina |
Where to Watch Argentina vs Bolivia
ViX Premium is the confirmed U.S. home for this friendly. The match is listed on ViX’s own platform under its international friendlies with Premium branding, and U.S. reporting describes ViX Premium as the only confirmed American option.
No linear television broadcast has been announced in the United States. TelevisaUnivision, the U.S. rights holder, says its coverage begins at 7:45 PM ET on ViX and TUDN Radio, with kickoff scheduled for 8:00 PM ET. ViX is TelevisaUnivision’s streaming platform, and the Prime Video path above is FutnSoccer’s approved way to access it.
Why This Match Matters
This is the first of three friendlies Argentina scheduled for the September-October FIFA window: Bolivia in Cordoba on September 30, Burkina Faso at the Monumental on October 3, and Benin at the Monumental on October 6. Messi is being rested for the first two and is expected to play only the Benin match, which the federation is presenting as his final appearance for Argentina. Tickets for that farewell reportedly sold out within two hours.
It is also Argentina’s first match since losing the 2026 World Cup final to Spain, and the reset is real. Lionel Scaloni remains in charge, though Argentine outlets describe his long-term future as uncertain. FIFA sanctioned Argentina over the post-final brawl against Spain, and one punishment is playing this match at 50 percent capacity at the Kempes. Bolivia, under Oscar Villegas, is using the window to evaluate players for the next cycle, with this its second friendly in four days.
Recent Form
Argentina closed the World Cup with three dramatic results. They beat Switzerland 3-1 in extra time in the quarterfinal on July 11, through Alexis Mac Allister, Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez. Four days later they came back to beat England 2-1 in the semifinal in Atlanta, with late goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez. The run ended in the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium, where Spain won 1-0 in extra time on a Ferran Torres goal. This friendly is Argentina’s first match since that final.
Bolivia has played once in this window, losing 2-0 to Paraguay on September 27 in Washington before traveling to Cordoba.
Team News
Argentina: Messi will not play. Scaloni is resting the captain for the first two friendlies, with the plan for him to feature only against Benin on October 6. Leandro Paredes and Nahuel Molina were not called up while serving FIFA suspensions from the brawl that followed the World Cup final: 10 matches for Paredes and seven for Molina.
Thiago Almada was called up but removed from the squad after tearing his quadriceps on September 19; he is completing part of his rehabilitation at Ezeiza and will miss the window. Juan Foyth is out injured as well, and Tobias Andrada was fully released back to River on September 29 to recover from a muscle injury. Nicolas Tagliafico trained separately on September 29 while recovering from injury.
In Monday’s session Scaloni trialed a side with Emiliano Martinez in goal, a defense of Agustin Giay, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez and Facundo Medina, a midfield of Exequiel Palacios, Alexis Mac Allister, Franco Mastantuono and Nicolas Paz, and Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez up front.
Young prospects Matias Soule, Valentin Barco and Gianluca Prestianni were also called as the staff looks toward 2030.
Bolivia: Villegas called 26 players for the two friendlies, with goalkeeper Carlos Lampe the most notable omission. Guillermo Viscarra started against Paraguay and is expected to continue in goal, with captain Luis Haquin leading a squad that also includes Roberto Fernandez, Gabriel Villamil, Ramiro Vaca and Miguel Terceros.
Key Storylines
An Argentina audition without Messi or its suspended core. The captain sits out by design, Paredes and Molina are out through suspension, and Almada misses the window injured, so responsibility falls on Alvarez, Lautaro Martinez and Mac Allister, with real minutes available for the next generation.
A strange night in Cordoba. The Kempes operates at half capacity under FIFA sanction, and Argentina has not played in Cordoba in more than four years. The crowd will watch a team in transition rather than a celebration.
Bolivia’s travel test. La Verde played in Washington on Sunday and now faces the world finalists on Wednesday. The short rest and the trip make this a fitness examination as much as a tactical one.
Head-to-Head
Argentina has won the last five meetings:
- October 2024: Argentina 6-0 Bolivia (World Cup qualifying)
- September 2023: Bolivia 0-3 Argentina (World Cup qualifying)
- September 2021: Argentina 3-0 Bolivia (World Cup qualifying)
- June 2021: Argentina 4-1 Bolivia (Copa America)
- October 2020: Bolivia 1-2 Argentina (World Cup qualifying)
Prediction
Argentina 3-0 Bolivia. Bolivia lost to Paraguay three days ago and now travels to face a deeper squad with home support, even without Messi. Expect Argentina’s attack to have too much and a first post-World Cup clean sheet.
FAQ
What time does Argentina vs Bolivia kick off?
8:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM CT on Wednesday, September 30, 2026. Coverage on ViX and TUDN Radio begins at 7:45 PM ET.
What channel is Argentina vs Bolivia on in the U.S.?
No U.S. linear TV channel has been confirmed. The match streams on ViX Premium in the United States. Argentine outlets list TyC Sports and Telefe, but those are the domestic Argentina broadcasts, not U.S. options.
Can I watch Argentina vs Bolivia for free?
No free U.S. viewing option has been confirmed. ViX Premium is a paid subscription.
Will Messi play against Bolivia?
No. Messi is being rested for this friendly and the Burkina Faso match, and is expected to play only the October 6 friendly against Benin, his planned farewell.
