The ‘Finalissima’ match between Euro 2024 winners Spain and world champions Argentina, scheduled for March 27 in Qatar, has been canceled, UEFA announced on Sunday.
The European football governing body said in a statement that it was “not possible to reach an agreement with Argentina” on an alternative date and site, which was required due to the Middle East war affecting the region.
“It is a source of great disappointment to UEFA and the organizers that circumstances and timing have denied the teams the chance to compete for this prestigious prize in Qatar,” said UEFA in a statement.
Argentina won the inaugural Finalissima, which pits the latest Copa America winners against the European championship winners, beating Italy in 2022 at Wembley Stadium in London.
Later that year, Argentina captain Lionel Messi lifted the World Cup with his country in Qatar.
The match against Spain would have been the first time the Argentine, widely considered the best player of all time, had faced teenage star Lamine Yamal.
UEFA stated that they had investigated several alternative options to playing in Qatar, “but each ultimately proved unacceptable to the Argentinian Football Association.”
Argentina rejected the initial choice, which was to play at Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
UEFA then proposed a two-leg event, with the first match in the Spanish capital on March 27 and the second leg in Buenos Aires before the 2028 Euros and Copa America, but this was also rejected.
They then proposed a one-off match at another neutral venue in Europe on March 27 or March 30, but Argentina responded that they could no longer play on the scheduled date and were only available on March 31.
“As a result, and to UEFA’s regret, this edition of the Finalissima has been cancelled,” added UEFA.
