Argentina is already qualified for the 2026 World Cup and remains a favorite to defend its title. Since winning the trophy in Qatar in 2022, the team has continued to perform well, including winning the 2024 Copa America. This success has opened the possibility of a Finalissima match against Spain, the current European champions, in 2026. Coach Lionel Scaloni spoke about this topic this week.
In an interview with TNT Sports, Scaloni raised concerns about the scheduling of the Finalissima, mentioning the UEFA Nations League as a major barrier. He expressed doubts about arranging the game in March 2026.
“If you ask me if I would have preferred it earlier, the answer is yes,” Scaloni said. “There was time to play it, but Spain couldn’t because of the Nations League, which they created. For us South Americans, it has been challenging as it limits our chances to compete against Europeans. They set up their own tournament, which was meant to be friendly, but it’s turned into something else. We haven’t been able to play.”
“Now that we can, they can’t, because they’re busy with World Cup qualifiers,” he added. “Having such an important match just months before the World Cup, honestly, I didn’t think it would happen. We’ll see if it gets confirmed. Spain needs to finish first in their group and be available in March, but nothing is certain right now. We need definite plans, and we don’t have them.”
Lionel Messi of Argentina lifts the Finalissima trophy.
Could Argentina and Spain meet in another way?
If the Finalissima does not occur, it will be difficult for these two teams to meet before the World Cup. Scaloni noted this reality, recognizing that the World Cup could be the only opportunity for such a matchup.
Scaloni also mentioned the difficulties of scheduling friendlies with European teams. “It’s practically impossible,” he said. “You’d need to find a team with an open date or one that’s part of a small group in European qualifying. Even then, they usually opt for friendlies with other European teams. This limits us to teams from the Americas, Central America, Asia, or Africa. We have to look in those directions, and the options may not always be convenient. That’s our situation.”
Where could the Finalissima take place?
If the match occurs, there is no confirmed location yet, but several countries are interested in hosting. The potential game between Spain and Argentina could be a significant event in soccer history. Reports indicate that England, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar have all expressed interest in hosting the event.
According to TyC Sports, Uruguay is also very keen on hosting the Finalissima. The proposal suggests using Montevideo’s historic Centenario Stadium, which hosted the first FIFA World Cup in 1930. This venue, set for renovations before the 2030 World Cup, could close its current era with another landmark match between these two prominent nations.
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