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The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), European football’s governing body, confirmed on Sunday that the planned 2026 Finalissima between Spain and Argentina will not take place after efforts to relocate the match from Qatar due to the Iran conflict affecting Gulf countries failed.
The match had been scheduled for Mar. 27 at Lusail Stadium in Qatar, but UEFA said the "regional political situation" led organizers to abandon the plan.
Since the conflict began on Feb. 28, Qatar has been among the targets of Iranian missile and drone strikes in retaliation for U.S.-Israeli attacks.
According to the statement, UEFA held discussions with football authorities in both countries to stage the match at a different location, but the sides were unable to agree on a new host stadium or date.
Possible alternatives included hosting the game at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid or moving the fixture to Argentina’s capital, Buenos Aires. A neutral venue in Europe was also discussed during negotiations.
With no consensus reached, the governing body decided to cancel the event entirely.
The Finalissima is a one-off match between the champions of Europe and South America, organized jointly by UEFA and the South American football body CONMEBOL.
Spain secured its place after winning UEFA Euro 2024, while Argentina qualified as the winner of the 2024 Copa America.
The fixture would have been the fourth edition of the intercontinental match, following Argentina’s 3–0 victory over Italy in the previous Finalissima held at Wembley Stadium in 2022.
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