Argentina’s national team to train in Abu Dhabi for 2022 World Cup

Sports Desk : dhakamirror.com
Argentina will prepare for the 2022 World Cup with a training camp in Abu Dhabi as part of a partnership between the Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) and Argentina Football Association (AFA).
The two-time World Cup winners will play friendlies in Abu Dhabi as part of their preparations for what is likely to be superstar Lionel Messi’s final chance to win the trophy – he will be 35 by the time the tournament kicks off. Messi came closest to lifting it when Argentina lost to Germany in the 2014 final in Brazil.
“After months of joint-work exchanges, ADSC together with the AFA, a long-term agreement has been consolidated,” read a statement by the ADSC. “Abu Dhabi will host the Argentine national team preparing camp for the 2022 World Cup, which will include friendly matches in November.
Aref Al Awani, general secretary of ADSC, said Argentina’s training camp in Abu Dhabi will be an opportunity for football fans to watch up close the squad’s preparations ahead of the World Cup in Qatar. “[Argentina] are one of the leading candidates for the World Cup and has a large fan base around the world,” Al Awani said. “They will be closely watched by the football fraternity and the international media around the world, and we are honoured to be their host.
Argentina have been drawn in Group C alongside Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland, whom they meet in their opener on November 22 against Saudi Arabia.
The partnership between the ADSC and AFA will also see Abu Dhabi host the SuperCopa Argentina final – played between the Primera Division and Copa Argentina champions – for four years, starting from January 2023.
“Within the expansion strategy of our football being able to transfer the Argentine Super Cup to a destination like Abu Dhabi is very meaningful,” AFA president Claudio Tapia said.“This agreement will give greater exposure and global visibility to our competition and create new commercial opportunities for the clubs and for our association.