Argentina will host Mauritania and Zambia in two friendly matches this month as part of their World Cup preparations, replacing cancelled fixtures.

ARGENTINA will face Mauritania and Zambia in two World Cup warm-up matches this month. The South American nation’s football body (AFA) confirmed the fixtures on Friday.

The matches replace a cancelled “Finalissima” game against Spain in Qatar. That fixture was called off due to the conflict in the Middle East.

“The national team will play a friendly against Mauritania as the squad begins its farewell to fans before departing to defend its World Cup title,” the AFA said in a statement. A separate statement confirmed Argentina “will face Zambia in its second friendly match of the FIFA Date”.

Both games will be played at Boca Juniors’ La Bombonera stadium. The Mauritania match is scheduled for March 27, with Zambia to follow on March 31.

Mauritania’s original friendly against Palestine in Morocco was also cancelled. This will be Argentina’s third consecutive match against an African opponent, following a 2-0 victory in Angola last November.

Argentina had initially planned a friendly against Guatemala on March 31. That match was cancelled after failing to receive FIFA approval, as Guatemala were already scheduled to face Algeria in Italy.

The world champions begin their World Cup title defence on June 16 against Algeria. They will also face Austria and Jordan in Group J.

 The Sun Malaysia