A friendly match between Brazil and its rivals Argentina, due to take place in the Australian city of Melbourne next month, has been canceled in preparation for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, according to the Brazilian Football Confederation.
Juninho Paulista, spokesman for the Seleção national team, told a press conference in Rio de Janeiro that the company in charge of the television rights to the Brazilian friendly matches had informed the Brazilian Confederation that the match scheduled for June 11 in Melbourne, “cancelled”. , without further explanation.
He expressed regret that this cancellation “majorly affects our preparation” for the World Cup, adding: “We were ready with all the logistics for this match because we understood that we had to fulfill this contract.”
Paulista noted that steps have been taken to find an alternative opponent during this international window, in which five-time world champions Brazil face South Korea on June 2 in Seoul and Japan on June 6 in Tokyo.
“Discussions are just beginning,” Paulista said. “Probably we will find an African competitor.” We want to play in Europe.”
Brazil and Argentina already faced each other in a friendly match in Melbourne five years ago, when around 95,000 spectators gathered in the stands of the MCG Stadium to watch Albiceleste win 1-0.
But the two traditional rivals will still meet, but on a date yet to be determined, in the postponed sixth round match of the South American qualifiers after being stopped last September by Brazilian health authorities entering the stadium minutes after kickoff in San -Paulo for charging four Argentine professional players, while in the English Premier League, for violating Corona pandemic protocols.
The World Cup final will be held in Qatar from November 21 to December 18 next year, with Brazil in Group G with Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon, while Argentina is in Group C with Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland.
Brazil will begin their journey to their sixth and first title since 2002 against Serbia on November 24, while Argentina will start their dream of a third world title and first since 1986 by facing Saudi Arabia on November 22.