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Mauritania: This Is Argentina’s Next Opponent on the Road to the World Cup
Argentina will face Mauritania at La Bombonera before the World Cup. But how strong is this African opponent? History, FIFA ranking, key players and the surprising rise of a team that was once among the worst in the world.
Mauritania: Argentina’s unexpected rival before the World Cup
The Argentina national team already has a confirmed opponent for its next international match. After the cancellation of the Finalissima and the collapse of the planned friendly against Guatemala, the Argentine Football Association officially confirmed a match against Mauritania on March 27 at La Bombonera.
At first glance, the name may sound unfamiliar to many fans. However, behind this African national team lies a fascinating story: a side that for years was considered one of the weakest teams in the world, but has gradually started to build a football identity.
The match will also carry special significance: it will be one of the Scaloneta’s last appearances in front of Argentine fans before the 2026 World Cup, adding extra anticipation around the event. While Argentina arrives as one of the great powers of world football, Mauritania appears as an emerging side looking to gain international exposure.
A country with little football tradition
Located in northwest Africa and with a population of just over five million people, Mauritania has never been considered a football powerhouse.
The country joined FIFA in the 1960s and played its first official match in 1961, but for decades its national team struggled to compete on the continental stage.
In fact, Mauritania has never qualified for a FIFA World Cup, and throughout its history most of its qualifying campaigns ended in early rounds.
The team even experienced extremely difficult periods. According to historical FIFA rankings, in 2013 Mauritania sat at 206th in the world, placing it among the five worst national teams on the planet at the time.
The recent rise of the “Lions of Chinguetti”
In recent years, Mauritanian football has shown signs of progress. The national team, known as the “Lions of Chinguetti”, managed to qualify for three consecutive Africa Cup of Nations tournaments: 2019, 2021 and 2023.
That run represents the most successful period in the nation’s football history. In the 2023 edition, Mauritania even reached the Round of 16, marking a historic milestone for the country.
Currently, Mauritania sits 115th in the FIFA world rankings, a position that reflects significant improvement compared to its past struggles.
However, in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, the team failed to maintain that momentum. It finished fifth in its group, collecting seven points from ten matches, and one of the most striking statistics was its lack of attacking production: only four goals scored throughout the campaign.
A team with players across Europe
One of the most interesting aspects of Mauritania’s squad is that many of its players compete in foreign leagues. Nearly 70% of the squad plays outside the country, mainly in European leagues.
Among the standout names is midfielder Aboubakary Koita, currently playing for AEK Athens, widely regarded as one of the team’s most talented players.
Several young prospects also represent the future of the national team:
- Saïd Imigene, defender for CD Leganes
- Oumar Ngom, midfielder at Lecce
- Abderrahmane Sarr, goalkeeper for Tromsø in Norway
- Beyatt Lekweiry, player for Lausanne-Sport
They are joined by experienced players such as center-back Lamine Ba, who plays for Śląsk Wrocław, and veteran Bakari Camara, currently with AS Nancy-Lorraine.
What Argentina can expect from this opponent
From a sporting perspective, Mauritania arrives as a clear underdog against Argentina, but that does not mean the match will lack intrigue.
Spanish coach Aritz López Garai, the current manager of the African side, has tried to build a disciplined team that prioritizes defensive organization and quick transitions on the wings.
For world champions Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, the friendly will mainly serve as preparation and a farewell to local fans before the World Cup.
For Mauritania, however, it represents much more than just another match: a global stage to test themselves against one of the most powerful teams in world football.
