Football chiefs from Europe and South America will hold a final meeting before a Thursday deadline to decide if and where this month’s «Finalissima» between Spain and Argentina will be played, with London emerging as the leading candidate after doubts over Doha, multiple sources said. Reuters on Tuesday.
The match between European champion Spain and Copa America holder Argentina was scheduled for March 27 at the Lusail Stadium in Doha.
However, it has become increasingly unlikely that Qatar will host the match after the Qatar Football Association suspended football tournaments indefinitely following US and Israeli attacks on Iran and retaliatory missiles fired into the Arabian Peninsula.
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has urged a quick solution, recognizing that the March international break is seen as essential preparation for the June-July World Cup in North America.
«I know the negotiations are ongoing,» Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente told Spanish Public Radio (RNE) on Monday. “The first thing we have to do as a society is to stop the conflict, but once you get into it and don’t know how long it will last, the solution would be that as long as you can’t play there, you find another location as quickly as possible.”
Wembley Stadium hosted the previous edition in 2022, when Argentina defeated Italy, but England is scheduled to host Uruguay on March 27. However, London has other stadiums that could stage the showpiece, leaving the English capital the most likely alternative if Doha is ruled out, sources confirm.
Alternative options considered
While they were keen to face Argentina and high-profile players such as Lionel Messi, sources told Reuters that Spain had made it clear their priority was not to waste the final period of international matches before the World Cup and were already considering alternative opponents.
With Spain also due to play Egypt three days later, any change would require agreement between the RFEF and European football body UEFA, South American confederation CONMEBOL, global governing body FIFA and the Argentine FA (AFA).
The RFEF, AFA and UEFA did not immediately respond Reuters requests for comments.
This was said by a spokesperson for the South American confederation CONMEBOL Reuters that several meetings had taken place between the parties in recent days, but that Thursday’s deadline or London as the preferred location had not been confirmed.
Madrid was initially proposed by the RFEF but rejected by the AFA, who preferred a neutral venue rather than giving Spain a home advantage.
Morocco offered to host the match, but the RFEF were unwilling to support their Mediterranean neighbors due to behind-the-scenes tensions over the 2030 World Cup, which Spain, Morocco and Portugal will jointly host. Both Spain and Morocco are campaigning to host the final.
Miami was also considered, with Messi based there at Inter Miami, but the Hard Rock Stadium is hosting the Miami Open tennis tournament at the same time.
Published on March 4, 2026
