Spain and Argentina Set for a Finalissima Rematch — This Time in Qatar This November
Just days after Spain edged Argentina 1-0 in the 2026 World Cup final, reports suggest the two teams could be headed for another meeting — this time to finally settle the long-delayed Finalissima.
What Is the Finalissima?
The Finalissima pits the reigning European Champion against the reigning South American Champion. It began in 1985 as the Artemio Franchi Cup, was revived in 2022 as the Finalissima, and that inaugural modern edition saw Argentina beat Italy 3-0 at Wembley. Since Argentina went on to win the 2024 Copa América and Spain won UEFA Euro 2024, the two nations had already earned their spots in the next edition of the fixture.
A Rematch Through the Back Door
Ironically, football found its own way to deliver the missed occasion: Spain and Argentina ended up meeting anyway, in the biggest game of all — the World Cup final on July 19, which Spain won in extra time thanks to a goal from Ferran Torres. Many in the football world have since described that final as the "unofficial Finalissima," even though no trophy was on the line for that specific rivalry.
Could the Real Finalissima Still Happen?
According to multiple reports out of Argentina, including DSports 103.1 FM and TNT Sports Argentina, discussions are underway for Spain and Argentina to finally play the official Finalissima at Lusail Stadium in Qatar this November. FIFA is said to be pushing hard to get the fixture played before the end of the year.
One lingering question hangs over the potential rematch: whether Lionel Messi will still be part of the Argentina squad. If this year's World Cup turns out to have been his last tournament with the national team, a possible retirement could take away some of the shine from what would otherwise be a heavyweight rematch between the two sides.
Nothing has been officially confirmed by UEFA or CONMEBOL yet, but if the report holds up, fans could see Spain and Argentina renew their rivalry for a second time this year — this time with an actual trophy at stake.
Why It Was Cancelled in the First Place
The 2026 Finalissima was originally scheduled for March 27 at Lusail Stadium in Qatar. However, escalating security concerns tied to the political situation in the Middle East made the venue unworkable. UEFA and CONMEBOL scrambled to find an alternative, including proposals to play at Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabéu Stadium with a 50-50 ticket split, or to split the tie into two legs between Madrid and Buenos Aires. Argentina's football association rejected the idea of playing in Spain, arguing it would give the hosts an unfair advantage, while a proposal to play after the World Cup could not be accommodated within Spain's calendar at the time. With no agreement reached, UEFA officially cancelled the match in March, leaving the trophy without a winner for that cycle.
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