Argentina team arrives in Kansas City on Sunday as Lionel Messi and the reigning world champions begin preparations for their World Cup title defence.
Fans gathered at Berkley Riverfront to welcome Argentina after the team’s Airbus A330 landed in the Kansas City metro area.
Argentina became the first of four teams to use the Kansas City metro as a home base. England, the Netherlands and Algeria are also due to arrive at the University of Kansas in Lawrence this week.
The Argentina national football team will begin training Monday, June 1, at Sporting Kansas City’s Compass Minerals National Performance Centre.
The squad will stay on the other side of the state line at Berkley Riverfront in Kansas City, Missouri.
Argentina’s official social media account posted a photo of the team boarding the flight for Kansas City early Sunday. The caption read: “Kansas bound!”
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The team plane featured a custom design celebrating Argentina’s squad. Lionel Messi appeared on the tail beside blue and white national colours and three gold stars marking the country’s World Cup titles.
Argentina will open its title defence against Algeria on June 16 at Arrowhead Stadium, home of the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs.