Huge demand in Argentina to see World Cup champs at friendly

By The Associated Press

FILE - Argentina's Lionel Messi lifts the trophy after winning the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. The World Cup group stage format for 2026 was changed to 12 groups of four teams from 16 groups of three teams by FIFA’s Council on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Martin Meissner]

BUENOS AIRES (AP) — Argentina’s upcoming friendly quickly sold out after more than 1 million people formed an online queue for tickets to see the World Cup champions play at home for the first time since Lionel Messi’s team lifted the trophy in Qatar. Argentina’s soccer association put 63,000 tickets up for sale for the March 23 match against Panama at the Monumental de Nunez Stadium in Buenos Aires with prices ranging between $57 and $240. The prices triggered a debate in the South American nation which has suffered from high inflation and a long-standing economic crisis. Still, the match sold out in only two hours.