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Argentina hosts Benin in an international friendly on Tuesday, October 6, with kickoff at 7:00 PM ET. In the United States, the match will stream live in Spanish on ViX, with no linear television broadcast; Radio TUDN will carry live audio coverage. The match is Lionel Messi’s farewell appearance for Argentina, officially dubbed “El Último Tango,” and the 208th and final cap of his international career.
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| Match | Argentina vs Benin |
| Date | Tuesday, October 6, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 7:00 PM ET (6:00 PM CT / 4:00 PM PT) |
| Competition | International Friendly |
| U.S. TV | None (no linear TV broadcast) |
| U.S. Stream | ViX (Spanish) |
| Venue | Estadio Más Monumental, Buenos Aires |
Where to Watch Argentina vs Benin
The viewing picture in the United States is simple: ViX has the streaming rights, and there is no English-language television option. TelevisaUnivision confirmed in its official weekly programming release that the match will be available live in Spanish on Radio TUDN and streaming on ViX. The release lists the match on ViX, and ViX Premium is available as a Prime Video add-on at the link above.
Radio TUDN offers a free audio alternative for listeners who want Spanish-language commentary without video. No major English-language network in the United States acquired rights to the farewell, so English-speaking viewers will not find the match on Fox, NBC, ESPN, or CBS platforms.
Why This Match Matters
This is the end of an era. Messi announced in late August that he would step away from international duty, and the Argentine federation built this window around his goodbye. He did not feature in the 4-0 win over Bolivia on September 30 or the 7-0 win over Burkina Faso on October 3; Lionel Scaloni rested him so the farewell could have the stage to itself at a sold-out Monumental, where some 85,000 fans are expected.
The numbers frame the occasion. Messi enters the night with 207 caps, 125 goals, and 68 assists for Argentina, all national team records. The Benin friendly will be cap number 208, his last. His trophy haul includes the 2022 World Cup, 2008 Olympic gold, back-to-back Copa América titles in 2021 and 2024, and the 2022 Finalissima, alongside World Cup final defeats in 2014 and 2026.
The tributes have already started. The federation left the iconic No. 10 shirt vacant for the Bolivia and Burkina Faso friendlies so no one else would wear it before Messi’s final night. Longtime teammates Rodrigo De Paul and Giovani Lo Celso were called up specifically for the farewell, and members of the 2022 World Cup winning squad were invited to take part in the celebrations at the Monumental.
Recent Form
Argentina arrives in ruthless form even without its captain. Scaloni used the first two friendlies of the window to look at the future, and the results were emphatic: 4-0 over Bolivia in Córdoba on September 30, then 7-0 over Burkina Faso at the Monumental on October 3. The squad blends established winners like Julián Álvarez, Lautaro Martínez, Enzo Fernández, and Alexis Mac Allister with emerging talent such as Franco Mastantuono and Nico Paz.
Benin, coached by Gernot Rohr since February 2023, sits 93rd in the FIFA rankings and reached the round of 16 at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The Cheetahs come into the friendly off a 2-1 win over Mauritania on September 29 and a 1-1 draw with Burkina Faso on September 25. This will be the first ever meeting between Argentina and Benin at senior level.
Team News
All eyes are on one name: Messi is expected to start and to be honored before, during, and after the match, though Scaloni has managed minutes carefully all window and the exact length of the captain’s final appearance is unconfirmed. Nicolás Otamendi is also expected to bid farewell to the national team on the night, according to Argentine media reports.
There are reported doubts over Giovani Lo Celso and Nicolás Tagliafico, while Benin has no reported absences in its traveling squad. Beyond the night itself, the transition is already underway: Scaloni’s contract runs through the end of the calendar year, and Cristian Romero has been identified as the successor to the captaincy. No predicted lineup is offered here given the ceremonial nature of the fixture.
What to Watch
The football is almost secondary, but there are still real storylines. Watch how long Messi plays, whether the Monumental crowd gets the goal the night demands, and which young attacker states a claim for the post-Messi era. For Benin, a friendly against the world champions before 85,000 people is the biggest stage most of its squad will ever play on.
Argentina vs Benin FAQ
What time does Argentina vs Benin kick off?
7:00 PM ET (6:00 PM CT / 4:00 PM PT) on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.
Where can I watch Argentina vs Benin in the USA?
The match streams live in Spanish on ViX. There is no linear TV broadcast in the United States.
Can I watch Argentina vs Benin in English?
No. No English-language U.S. broadcaster acquired rights to the match.
Is there a free audio option?
Yes. Radio TUDN will carry live Spanish-language audio coverage.
Is this really Messi’s last game for Argentina?
Yes. It will be his 208th and final cap. He will continue his club career with Inter Miami.
