Low attendance mars Argentina versus Uruguay World Cup qualifier

On November 14, 2026, Argentina hosted Uruguay at the La Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires for a World Cup qualifying match. The event was marked by significant portions of empty stands, creating an unusually quiet atmosphere at the iconic venue, despite the high-profile nature of the South American classic. Uruguay won the match with a score of 2-1.

The sparse attendance has been attributed to a combination of factors, most notably the absence of star player Lionel Messi following his retirement from the national team. Additionally, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) faced criticism for setting ticket prices between 55 and 170 euros. Reports indicate that the section with the cheapest tickets remained closed, and the purchasing process was described as unnecessarily complex, requiring fans to buy tickets in person and collect them from the Huracan stadium by the previous day.