Amistosos Internacionales
In short
These are football matches played between national teams that do not count towards official tournament standings or rankings. Current fixtures include high-profile clashes such as Mexico Women against Jamaica and USA Women against Spain.
In plain words
Teams play these games to practice new tactics or test different players. Because there are no points at stake, they are often used to prepare for major competitions like the World Cup.
A simple example
The USA men's team recently beat Canada 1-0 in Minnesota to maintain an unbeaten streak under their new manager.
Why it matters
They allow coaches to build squad depth and chemistry without the pressure of losing official ranking points. They also provide fans with chances to see star players, such as Lionel Messi's farewell match with Argentina.
Easy to mix up
Do not confuse these with competitive matches in tournaments like the FIFA World Cup or continental championships.
Sources
- La selección masculina de fútbol de EE. UU. suma una nueva victoria deportiva sobre Canadá este año con su triunfo en un partido amistoso internacional en Minnesota
- México 0 vs Chile 2 en vivo - Amistoso internacional - Minuto a minuto
- Argentina - Benin: which channels and what time to watch Messi’s final match with La Albiceleste?