The Finalissima, the meeting between the last two winners of the Euro and the Copa América, namely Spain and Argentina, is on hold due to the war in the Middle East. The gala poster pitting Lionel Messi’s Albiceleste against the Roja of his successor at Barça Lamine Yamal is scheduled for March 27 at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar. The two selections waited for this international window to face each other even though they are qualified for the 2026 World Cup.
However, Doha and its surrounding areas are the target of Iranian missiles sent to American installations. After the United States and Israel bombed Iran on Saturday morning to kill Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the Iranian government responded by attacking most countries in the Arabian Gulf. Airlines in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have suspended flights until further notice.
Fifa has not yet made any decision on this Finalissima entrusted to Qatar, pending developments in the situation in the Middle East. But the international body is ready to relocate the meeting between Spain and Argentina, the two federations being determined to play the match, as indicated by the Spanish media RNE.
Messi against Lamine Yamal in Madrid or Paris?
Discussions are currently taking place to find a base at Finalissima and Paris is mentioned along with London, Miami, Rome and Madrid. Messi would thus have the opportunity to return to the French capital, two and a half years after his departure from PSG. The Spaniards would prefer to host the Argentinians at home, perhaps at the Bernabéu.
That said, the timing is particularly tight and the cities mentioned will already host friendly matches during the international window in March. Morocco-Ecuador will take place at the Metropolitano in Madrid on March 27, Senegal-Peru will be played on March 28 at the Stade de France and Wembley will vibrate for its England team against Uruguay on the 27th and Japan on the 31st. Finally, Miami is mentioned but the Hard Rock Stadium, the Dolphins venue which sometimes hosts Inter Miami matches, will be much busier with the Miami Masters 1000 from the 18th to the 29th. March.
