Argentina’s Kerala Visit in Doubt After ₹130 Crore Payment: Report
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KOCHI, INDIA – July 1, 2025 – A planned visit by the Argentina national football team, including Lionel Messi, to Kerala, India, is facing potential cancellation despite a full payment of over ₹130 crore (approximately $1.56 million USD) to the Argentina Football Association (AFA), according to a report by Reporter Broadcasting Company.
The agreement, initially signed on December 20, 2024, outlined a seven-day visit to Kerala in either October or November 2025. The schedule included two exhibition matches and a fan meet anticipated to draw over 10 million attendees. The event was intended to be a major boost for Kerala’s tourism and sporting profile.
Reporter Broadcasting Company secured necessary approvals from both the central government in New Delhi and the Kerala State government, submitting all required documentation to the AFA. The AFA subsequently proposed two FIFA-approved international windows for the visit: October 6-14 and November 10-18, 2025. Discussions regarding a potential Argentina tour of China in November were acknowledged by the AFA, leaving the October window seemingly open for the india engagement.
On June 6, 2025, Reporter Company completed the transfer of ₹130+ crore to the AFA. The AFA formally acknowledged receipt of the funds on June 12, directing further communication to their Marketing Officer, Leandro Petersen. The funds were transferred via bank account details provided by the AFA, confirmed by Reporter broadcasting Company’s financial records.
However, on June 17, 2025, the AFA presented Reporter Company with a revised proposal to postpone the matches to September 2026 – a full year beyond the original contract terms. This new proposal represents a critically important departure from the signed agreement and has raised concerns about the AFA’s commitment to the project. The original contract was reviewed by legal counsel for both Reporter Broadcasting Company and the AFA, with specific clauses addressing potential rescheduling scenarios, which the proposed 2026 date appears to violate.
The potential cancellation raises questions about the future of major sporting events in India and the reliability of international football associations in honoring contractual obligations. Further updates will be provided as the situation develops.
