Before the World Cup kicks off in the USA, Mexico, and Canada on June 11, 2026, another trophy will be up for grabs: In March, the two soccer heavyweights Argentina and Spain will meet in the Finalissima.
This will be the fourth time that the reigning European champions and the reigning South American champions have met, after UEFA and CONMEBOL revived the competition between the two title holders following two matches in December 2021. In 2022, Italy and Argentina faced off, with Lionel Messi and Co. winning 3-0 at Wembley Stadium in London.
Italy then missed out on the World Cup, while Argentina were crowned world champions in Qatar. The South Americans now have the chance to win the Finalissima again ahead of the continental title matches. After all, Argentina won the Copa America in 2024 with a 1-0 extra-time victory over Colombia.
The opponent of the CONMEBOL champions and world champions is Spain, who beat England 2-1 in the final of the European Championship. This means that Spain, currently the leading nation in the FIFA world rankings, will face their closest rivals.
Argentina’s fond memories of Doha
The match between the two continental champions is scheduled for March 27, 2027, as announced by the South American and European football associations on Thursday. Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, and Spain, led by young star Lamine Yamal, will meet in Qatar at Lusail Stadium in Doha. It was there that the Albiceleste clinched their third World Cup title in the 2022 final against France (4-2 on penalties).
“The Finalissima celebrates outstanding soccer by bringing together the best national teams in Europe and South America,” UEFA said in a statement.
Both nations will also be represented at next summer’s World Cup and are among the favorites to win. Argentina is aiming for its fourth World Cup title, while Spain wants to bring the trophy home for the second time after 2010 (1-0 a.e.t. against the Netherlands). In the group stage, Spain will play Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, and Cape Verde in Group H, while Argentina has been drawn in Group J with Algeria, Austria, and Jordan. If both teams finish first in their groups, they will only meet in the final.
