Kochi, Sep 23: Kerala is all set for a historic football spectacle as Lionel Messi and Argentina’s World Cup-winning squad prepare to take the field in Kochi this November for a high-profile international friendly against Australia.

The match, tentatively scheduled between November 15 and 18, will be held at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium. The development was confirmed by the officials from the office of Kerala Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman.

Recently, a senior security officer from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) visited Kochi to inspect the stadium and assess its readiness to host a global football event of this magnitude.

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Australia enters the match in formidable form, having remained unbeaten in 18 matches since mid-2024. But for Kerala’s football-crazed fans, the spotlight will remain firmly on Lionel Messi, whose presence is expected to electrify the atmosphere and elevate the state’s football fervor to unprecedented heights.

Kerala has long been a bastion of football passion, with fans famously decorating streets with giant flags and cut-outs of Argentina and Brazil during World Cups.

(IANS)