Wales set to hold talks for Principality Stadium friendly with Argentina

Wales and Argentina have only met on two occasions with Argentina winning once on home soil 1-0 in 1992 and most recently in a 1-1 draw in Cardiff in a 2002 friendly.  

On that occasion, Craig Bellamy would open the scoring for Mark Hughes’ side in front of a crowd of over 60,000 fans, before Julio Cruz would net a second-half equaliser in an entertaining contest. Since then, the two nations have not crossed paths.  

It is understood, however, that a match-up with Lionel Messi and company could be on the cards as Rob Page’s side are likely to return to play a fixture at the Principality Stadium. 

If UK and Ireland’s bid to host Euro 2028 in Switzerland is successful next month this may well not be a one-off should Wales qualify for the tournament, with fixtures likely to be played at the home of Rugby once again. 

In what would be only the second match played at the 74,500-capacity stadium since 2011, Mooney believes it will be important for the Welsh national team to get used to playing at the larger venue stadium. 

The other occurrence came in a 4-1 defeat against then-World Champions Spain in 2018, with a widespread view that a full Cardiff City Stadium in sub-urban Canton would produce a better atmosphere than in a half-empty Principality. 

“I met the Argentinian ambassador when he was in Cardiff talking to the Welsh Government,” said Mooney. 

“We spoke to them in the last few days about playing in Cardiff. There is an ongoing discussion between us and them. 

 “I could feel from the Argentine ambassador that warmth they have behind Wales, and I’d love to see Lionel Messi playing in Cardiff. 

“We may not be at the very top of their queue, but if you look at Patagonia and the relationship between the two countries it would be great. We’d love to do it. 

“There is a connection and history between us and Argentina because of the Patagonian links and the Welsh people who settled there. 

“You’d have to assume we’d need to play some matches there [At the Principality Stadium] before the competition to get spectators and players used to it. 

“We haven’t thought that much about it, but what I can say is that we know who we’d like to play if we had to – World Cup winners Argentina.”

[Lead image: Football Association of Wales]