UEFA has officially announced the cancellation of the Finalissima that Spain was supposed to play against Argentina next March 27. The match was scheduled at the Lusail stadium in Qatar, venue of the 2022 World Cup final, but finally it will not be held.
The decision comes after weeks of negotiations between the federations involved and the organizers of the event.
The war in the Middle East blocks the match
As UEFA has confirmed, it has not been possible to find an alternative date nor to maintain the planned venue due to the security situation in the region.
The armed conflict currently affecting the Middle East has complicated the organization of the event and has finally led to suspending the match.
The Finalissima was supposed to face:
- Spain, champion of the Eurocopa 2024
- Argentina, winner of the Copa América 2024
The match had been planned as one of the great international duels between national teams outside the usual FIFA calendar.
The Lusail Stadium was going to host the match
The match was scheduled at Lusail Stadium, one of the most emblematic venues in recent football. This stadium was the setting for the 2022 Qatar World Cup final, where Argentina lifted the title against France.
However, the current geopolitical situation in the region has forced to rethink the event.
What is the Finalissima
The Finalissima is the match that pits the European Championship winner against the Copa América winner, a result of the agreement between UEFA and CONMEBOL. The competition was revived in 2022, when Argentina defeated Italy at Wembley. The clash between Spain and Argentina was set to be the second modern edition of the tournament.
Uncertainty about whether it will be played in the future
For the moment, UEFA has not announced a new date nor a new venue for the match.The cancellation leaves in the air the possibility that the duel between Spain and Argentina can be held at another time or if it will be definitively suspended.