体坛英语新闻：Argentina, Israel to play pre-World Cup friendly

JERUSALEM, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Argentina will fine-tune their World Cup preparations with an international friendly against Israel on June 9, officials said on Wednesday.

The match will be played in Israel though a venue has yet to be confirmed, the Israel Football Association said in a statement.

"Discussions will continue in the coming days to finalize the contractual details for signing," the statement read.

Argentina and Israel have met on four previous occasions in the lead-up to a World Cup. One such clash was in 1986, when the Albiceleste won 7-2 before being crowned world champions in Mexico.

The Argentine Football Association has already confirmed friendlies against Italy and Spain in March as the two-time World Cup winners prepare for football's biggest tournament in Russia.

Jorge Sampaoli's team will play their first World Cup group match against Iceland in Moscow on June 16.