Upcoming ‘Finalissima’ between Lionel Messi’s Argentina and Spain cancelled

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The 2026 ‘Finalissima’ between Argentina and Spain has been cancelled after co-organisers Uefa and Conmebol confirmed they had failed to find an alternative venue to Qatar.

The match between the champions of South America and the champions of Europe was scheduled to be played in Doha on March 27, but the conflict in the Middle East has led to its cancellation.

In a statement, Uefa said they had proposed relocating the match to Real Madrid’s Bernabeu stadium, with a 50-50 split of tickets between the two countries, but Argentina refused to play the match in Spain’s capital.

Uefa also said Argentina rejected the opportunity to play the Finalissima over two legs, one in Madrid in March and the other in Buenos Aires at a later date, as well as a further proposal to play the fixture at a neutral ground in Europe.

Uefa added that Argentina’s preference was to play the Finalissima after this summer’s World Cup, but that was not possible for Spain. Finally, Argentina are also said to have declared that they could only play the Finalissima on 31 March, a date Uefa said was “unworkable”.

The previous, and inaugural, edition of the men’s Finalissima saw South American champions Argentina defeat European champions Italy at Wembley in 2022. Uefa said it is a “source of great disappointment” that an alternative venue to Qatar could not be found.

“With strong determination to save the important fixture, and despite the understandable difficulties of relocating a match of such importance at extremely short notice, Uefa explored other feasible alternatives but each ultimately proved unacceptable to the Argentinian Football Association,” a statement said.

”As a result, and to Uefa’s regret, this edition of the Finalissima has been cancelled. Uefa would like to express its sincere thanks to Real Madrid and the organising committee and authorities in Qatar for their support and cooperation in attempting to arrange this match.

“In the case of Real Madrid, their efforts were made at extremely short notice. Thanks are also expressed to the Spanish Football Federation for its flexibility to adapt to all options proposed throughout the process.”