Argentina reportedly turned down a $1 million offer from Morocco’s FRMF for a proposed friendly, after initially demanding close to $10 million as an appearance fee. Neither federation has officially confirmed the offer, its rejection, or the reasons behind the breakdown.
The proposed fixture was billed as a high-profile meeting between world champions Argentina and Morocco’s national team in front of a Rabat crowd. AFA reportedly preferred to schedule friendlies on home soil rather than commit to another long-haul trip abroad.
This was not the first financial disagreement between the two federations. Earlier negotiations reportedly saw Argentina demand close to $10 million as an appearance fee, a figure FRMF rejected as excessive, with Moroccan officials said to favor investing in long-term football development over paying large sums for a single exhibition match. The $1 million offer was seen as a counter-proposal, considerably below Argentina’s original demand, but it too was reportedly turned down.
The friendly had initially been targeted for November 2025, with Tangier or Casablanca mentioned as possible venues, before talks shifted toward the October window. That plan also failed to materialize. AFA’s November schedule instead reportedly includes a match against Angola, staged in Spain, with no mention of Morocco in official communications.
Reports suggest Argentina has shown a preference for staying in Europe or at home during international breaks rather than undertaking additional travel to North Africa. Following the breakdown in talks, FRMF is reportedly exploring other high-profile opponents to maintain competitive preparation ahead of major tournaments, while any Morocco squad selected for such matches would still need to meet national team eligibility requirements set for player call-ups.
Despite being described in Moroccan media as a project that was “well advanced,” the friendly reportedly never progressed beyond initial discussions. No official statement from either federation has confirmed the specific offer, the rejection, or the reasons behind the failed negotiations.
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