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Spain and Argentina Confirm La Finalissima in Qatar Ahead of 2026 World Cup
Spain and Argentina have officially arranged their showdown in La Finalissima, a match that pits the Copa America winners against the European Championship champions. This will mark the second edition since the tournament’s revival in 2022, offering both nations a prestigious clash before the 2026 World Cup. The first edition saw Argentina defeat Italy 3-0 at London’s Emirates Stadium, securing a dominant victory through goals from Lautaro Martínez, Ángel Di María, and Paulo Dybala.
Argentina enters the match aiming to defend their title after winning last summer’s Copa America. Lautaro Martínez scored the decisive goal in extra time to give Argentina a 1-0 victory over Colombia. Spain, on the other hand, secured their second European Championship title with a 2-1 triumph over England in Berlin, setting the stage for a high-profile encounter between two continental champions.
The match is scheduled to take place in Doha, Qatar, on March 27, coinciding with the final international break before teams begin preparations for the 2026 World Cup across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Both Spain and Argentina have already qualified automatically for the World Cup, meaning they will not face any play-off matches leading up to the tournament.
Approval from the Argentina Football Association (AFA) had delayed confirmation of the event, largely due to internal leadership issues. Manager Lionel Scaloni initially expressed doubts about the match, creating uncertainty around Argentina’s participation. These hurdles were eventually resolved, allowing the fixture to be officially scheduled and promoted as a marquee international event.
One notable absence will be Lionel Messi, who has opted out of the fixture due to preseason commitments and uncertainty regarding his participation in the World Cup. The game had been promoted as a potential encounter between Messi and Barcelona’s emerging talent Lamine Yamal. Without Messi, the matchup loses one of its most anticipated storylines, though it still promises a competitive and entertaining clash between two of world football’s powerhouse teams.
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