The expected duel between Spain and Argentina, in the so-called Very final between the European champion and the American champion will be played next March 27 at the Lusail stadium from Qatar, the stage that hosted the final of the last World Cup, in 2022, in which the albiceleste team was proclaimed world champion.
UEFA and CONMEBOL, together with the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and the Argentine Association (AFA), confirmed this Thursday the venue and date of the match, which will begin at 9 p.m. in Qatar, 6 p.m. in Spain.
“We look forward to a memorable night of top-level football and celebration,” said UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin. It will be the first duel between Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi, the two main stars of the football firmament, united by their training at FC Barcelona.
Messi touches the World Cup trophy before receiving it after winning the title in Qatar in December 2022. / FRANCK FIFE / AFP
Number one against number two
Argentina is also the current champion of the Very final, since they won the inaugural edition of the competition under the current name in 2022, after beating Italy (0-3) at London's Wembley Stadium. It will be the first time that the Spanish team fights for this trophy, of which three editions have been contested. The first, in 1985 and 1993, under the name of the Artemio Franchi Cup (former Italian leader who was president of UEFA) and which France and Argentina won.
Spain will arrive at the duel as number one in the FIFA ranking ahead of Argentina. The last duel between both teams was in March 2018, when they played in a friendly in Madrid with a 6-1 victory for Spain.
Both teams have met 14 times, with a result of six wins for each and two draws.
Lamine Yamal celebrates the Euro Cup title won in 2024. / Fabio Ferrari / LaPresse / LAP
Cooperation symbol
“This emblematic match is more than a competition; it is a symbol of cooperation and respect between confederations, and an opportunity for fans to enjoy a truly historic event,” said CONMEBOL president, Paraguayan Alejandro Domínguez.
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, Minister of Sports and Youth of Qatar, said that his country “is proud to host this prestigious match between two champions.”
“We have a history of organizing world-class sporting events, in which we offer an exceptional experience to fans, followers and the media. The celebration of the Finalissima 2026 demonstrates once again the trust that our partners continue to place in Qatar,” he highlighted.
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