It is the first Latin America football federation to move games to the Middle East region.
Some of the world’s greatest players and most passionate football fans will be descending on Abu Dhabi this year after the emirate announced a partnership to host Argentina’s warm-up games for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
Yes, Lionel Messi and co will be strutting their stuff in the capital and beyond as the Copa America champions make their final preparations for the grand football jamboree in Qatar in November.
The announcement is a part of a four-year partnership between Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) and the Argentine Football Association (AFA) that will also see the next four SuperCopa finals be played in the emirate starting in January 2023.
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Speaking on the announcement; Aref Hamad Al Awani, General-Secretary of ADSC, said; “We are very pleased with the strategic partnership with the AFA. It’s among our top priority to strengthen our already friendly and strong partnership with international sports federations and institutions to create major sporting events that contribute to enhancing Abu Dhabi’s leadership in the global sports scene and to embrace elite teams.
“The Argentine national team has been one of the most popular teams in the last 30 years, having produced legends as Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi. It is an opportunity for all the fans in the Middle East to come close to their preparation and support them on their way to the World Cup. The Argentina National team is one of the main title candidates for the World Cup.
“We welcome all the Argentine fans to come and enjoy their stay in Abu Dhabi as well as the whole UAE, which will welcome all to live and enjoy in a peaceful and tolerant community.”
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AFA President, Claudio Tapia added; “We are very happy to announce this strategic and historic agreement for our institution. Within the expansion strategy of our football, being able to transfer the Argentine SuperCup to a destination like Abu Dhabi is very meaningful. This agreement will give greater exposure and global visibility to our competition and create new commercial opportunities for the clubs and for our association.
“We welcome the Sports Council of Abu Dhabi as a new commercial partner of AFA. We share the same passion for football and we will work together to leave a strong legacy footprint in Abu Dhabi.”
Abu Dhabi has a proud record of hosting mega sporting events in recent years including five separate FIFA Club World Cups.
The AFA is the first federation from Latin America to export high global impact sporting events to the Middle East region.
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