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A planned international friendly between Argentina and Puerto Rico will no longer take place in Chicago, with the fixture now set to be held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, amid the ongoing immigration crackdown in the city.
Originally scheduled for October 13 at Soldier Field, the game will instead be played on October 14 at Chase Stadium, the home of Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami side.
While the event’s promoter has yet to issue an official statement, an Argentine Football Association executive told the AP that the relocation was prompted by civil unrest following President Donald Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to Chicago. The troops were sent in response to widespread protests against the administration’s immigration policies.
The AFA official, who requested anonymity as the change has not been publicly announced, said safety concerns had grown as tensions escalated in the city.
Argentina, the reigning World Cup champion, is already scheduled to face Venezuela on Friday at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami as part of its U.S. tour. Inter Miami hosts Atlanta United at Chase Stadium on Saturday, one day after the Venezuela match.
Lionel Messi has been called up for both friendlies, which form part of Argentina’s preparations for the 2026 World Cup, to be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19.
Featured Image Credit: Pexels / Fermin Rodriguez Penelas, Pexels / Franco Monsalvo
