2026 Finalissima cancelled due to Middle East conflict as Lionel Messi and Argentina accused of blocking move

The Finalissima between EURO 2024 winners Spain and Copa América 2024 champions Argentina has been cancelled due to the ongoing conflict in the region.

The match was due to take place in Qatar on March 27.

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UEFA explored staging the match at the Santiago Bernabeu with a 50:50 split of supporters in the stadium, but Argentina refused.

The second option was to stage the Finalissima over two legs – one at the Bernabeu on March 27 and the other in Buenos Aires during an international window before UEFA EURO and Copa America 2028.

This proposal was also rejected.

Sources close to the tournament organisers have alleged that Lionel Messi blocked the match from taking place, prioritising his own commitments.

It has also been alleged that Argentina feared a repeat of the 6-1 defeat to Spain just before the 2018 World Cup, which is said to have affected their performance.

Spain were said to be flexible around the proposed rearrangements of the game.

There had been doubts about the match going ahead since the USA and Israel launched their attacks on Iran.

In response, Qatar are one of the countries that have been targeted by missiles and drones in retaliatory strikes from Iran.

The match had been billed as a showdown between Messi and Spain superstar Lamine Yamal.

UEFA statement

“After much discussion between UEFA and the organising authorities in Qatar, it is announced today that due to the current political situation in the region, the Finalissima cannot be played as hoped in Qatar,” UEFA announced.

AFP

“UEFA explored other feasible alternatives but each ultimately proved unacceptable to the Argentinian Football Association.

“The first option was to stage the match at the Bernabeu in Madrid on the original date with a 50:50 split of supporters in the stadium. This would have provided a world class setting, befitting of such a prestigious event, but Argentina refused.

“The second was to stage the Finalissima over two legs — one at the Bernabeu on March 27 and the other in Buenos Aires during an international window before UEFA EURO and Copa America 2028, again offering a supporter split of 50:50 for the match in Madrid. This option was also rejected.

“Ultimately, UEFA sought a commitment from Argentina that, if a neutral venue in Europe could be found, the game could go ahead on March 27, as planned, or on the alternative date of March 30. This proposal was also rejected.

“Argentina made a counter suggestion to play the game after the World Cup but, as Spain has no available dates, that option had to be ruled out.

“Finally, and contrary to the original agreed plan that the match would take place on 27 March, Argentina declared its availability to play exclusively on March 31, a date which proved to be unworkable.”

This was set to be the fourth edition of the match, with France winning the inaugural one in 1985 by beating Uruguay.

Argentina then lifted the trophy with a penalty shootout win over Denmark in 1993.

The most recent match saw current holders Argentina beat Italy 3-0 at Wembley in 2022.