Socceroos coach Graham Arnold excited by the prospect of Australia taking on Argentina in China

The thought of the Socceroos playing against Argentina next month is giving national coach Graham Arnold ‘goosebumps’.

Graham Arnold is excited about the prospect of the Socceroos meeting Argentina in China next month. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold is getting “goosebumps” thinking about Australia’s potential encounter with world champions Argentina next month in China.

Negotiations are continuing about a clash in Beijing, where the Socceroos would got a shot at avenging their 2022 World Cup round-of-16 loss to La Albiceleste.

More importantly, it would be ideal as one of the “tough games” Arnold wants for Australia ahead of the start of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in November, and the January-February Asian Cup in Qatar.

“It’d be amazing,” Arnold said on Friday.

“I just get goosebumps now thinking about it. If this game comes off, it’d just be fantastic to play against the world champions.

“There’s no better way to test players than put them out against top opposition, because if you put them out against the lower opposition, well, then you’re not learning too much about the players.

“I want these tough games. I want to play against teams that are going to push us to the limit and we’ll push them to the limit. Then when you get those good results, when you do well against those type of teams, that builds the belief and confidence in the players.”

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold (left) and his Argentina counterpart Lionel Scaloni could go head-to-head next month. Picture: Buda Mendes/Getty Images

Arnold crossed paths with Argentina’s mentor Lionel Scaloni earlier this week in Qatar, but the next month’s potential battle wasn’t discussed.

“He came over to me and just gave me a hug and said how much they appreciated the (World Cup) game against us,” Arnold said.

“He felt we were the hardest game for them at the World Cup but also, he loved the way we played and the players’ attitude, the fight and the grit in our performance and he was very complimentary to us.”

However, Arnold is intent on moving on from the Socceroos’ memorable World Cup showing.

“It’s whole new chapter now,” he said.

A page in the “chapter” includes a meeting with England at Wembley in October.

“That cricket rivalry will come back ... the Ashes,” Arnold said.

“This will be a great opportunity for us on the football field to do the same.”

Originally published as Socceroos coach Graham Arnold excited by the prospect of Australia taking on Argentina in China