AFA confirmed that the Xeneize and the Academy will meet in the Middle East for the International Super Cup, an event designed to crown a cross-border challenger for Argentine football fans. The plan marks a new chapter for Argentine competition as a national cup structure expands in 2023, adding the Argentine Cup, the Argentine Super Cup, and the Champions Trophy to the International Super Cup. Thanks to a commercial agreement with the AFA, the match will be staged in Abu Dhabi, not far from the city where the national team recently earned world champion status.
Curiously, on December 29 the Argentine Football Association announced that the competition would be named the Final Argentine Super Cup, but public criticism over the Board’s absence led to a quick name change the following day.
WHO WILL COMPETE AND WHAT CUP WILL BE PLAYED?
The AFA has determined that the champions of the Champions Trophy and the top team in the Professional League standings will participate. The format requires the winner in each case to face the second-placed side, which in this context is Boca Juniors. The event was christened the International Super Cup, featuring a straightforward structure: a single match, with extra time of thirty minutes in the event of a draw, divided into two fifteen-minute halves, and if still tied, a penalty shootout decides the result.
In the official bulletin, it is noted that players and coaching staff serving match penalties in other tournaments are permitted to participate in the International Super Cup, which adds an interesting layer of roster management to the event.
THE APRONTS CONTROVERSY
The duel staged at La Pedrera drew significant controversy and did not even conclude within regular time in one instance, as Hugo Ibarra’s squad faced disqualifications for numerical inferiority. On that day, several notable players from Boca Juniors—Sebastián Villa, Alan Varela, Luis Advíncula, Carlos Zambrano, Diego González, Frank Fabra, and Darío Benedetto—were sanctioned, while Johan Carbonero, Carlos Alcaraz, and Jonathan Galván wore the light blue and white outfit from the rival camp. The events highlighted the intense, sometimes chaotic atmosphere surrounding high-stakes matches and the scrutiny that accompanies youth and senior team decisions alike.
The Special Bulletin No. 6219 states that players and coaching staff who are serving penalties in other tournaments may participate in the International Super Cup, reinforcing a rule that bridges disciplinary measures with this international clash.
WHEN AND WHERE IS IT PLAYED?
The match is scheduled for Friday, January 20 at 7:30 PM local time, which corresponds to 1:30 PM in Argentina, and will take place in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The setting underscores the growing trend of international venues hosting regional finals as football continues to expand its calendar and connect fans across borders.
As this event unfolds, supporters will be watching not only a competitive cross-border contest but also a symbol of how Argentine football continues to engage with global audiences and leverage international partnerships to showcase its talent on a broader stage.