Argentina’s friendly against Puerto Rico has been moved from Chicago to Florida following unrest sparked by an immigration crackdown and National Guard deployment.
Argentina’s upcoming friendly against Puerto Rico has been moved from Chicago to Fort Lauderdale due to civil unrest following the U.S. government’s immigration crackdown, according to ESPN Argentina’s Diego Monroig.
The match, initially scheduled for October 13 at Soldier Field, will now take place a day later — October 14 — at Chase Stadium, home to Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami. Sources confirmed that talks to relocate the game had been ongoing.
An Argentine Football Association executive told the Associated Press that the decision followed tensions in Chicago, where President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard to suppress protests linked to mass immigration arrests. The official spoke anonymously since the change hadn’t been made public.
Over 1,000 immigrants have reportedly been detained since the crackdown began last month. Argentina, the reigning World Cup champion, will also face Venezuela on Friday at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami as part of its World Cup 2026 preparations.
Messi, who was called up for both matches, will feature in his club’s penultimate MLS fixture against Atlanta on Saturday at Chase Stadium.