This month’s ‘Finalissima’ between Spain and Argentina was due to be held in Doha, Qatar
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The 2022 ‘Finalissima’ took place at Wembley (Zac Goodwin/PA)open image in gallery
The 2022 ‘Finalissima’ took place at Wembley (Zac Goodwin/PA) (PA Wire)
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European and South American football authorities are set to convene for a final meeting before a Thursday deadline to determine the fate and location of this month's "Finalissima" between Spain and Argentina, with London emerging as the leading candidate amidst significant doubts over the original Doha venue.
The highly anticipated clash, pitting European champions Spain against Copa America holders Argentina, who have Lionel Messi in their ranks, was initially slated for 27 March at Lusail Stadium in Doha.
However, Qatar's ability to host has become increasingly unlikely following the Qatar Football Association's indefinite suspension of football tournaments, a decision made in the wake of US and Israeli attacks on Iran and subsequent retaliatory missile strikes on the Arabian Peninsula.
The Spanish FA (RFEF) has been actively seeking a swift resolution, emphasising the critical importance of the March international break for World Cup preparations ahead of the June-July tournament in North America.
General view inside the ground at the Lusail Stadium (Mike Egerton/PA)open image in gallery
General view inside the ground at the Lusail Stadium (Mike Egerton/PA) (PA Wire)
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente underscored this urgency, telling Spanish Public Radio (RNE) on Monday: "I know that negotiations are underway. The first thing, as a society, is to stop the conflict, but once you are immersed in it and you don't know how long it will last, the solution would be, as long as you can't play there, to find another venue as soon as possible."
London has quickly risen as the most probable alternative should Doha be definitively ruled out.
While Wembley Stadium, which hosted the previous edition in 2022 when Argentina defeated Italy, is unavailable due to an England v Uruguay fixture on the same date, the English capital boasts several other stadiums capable of staging such a high-profile match, sources confirmed.
Despite a strong desire to face Argentina and its star players like Lionel Messi, sources close to the Spanish camp indicated that their primary concern is not to squander this final international window before the World Cup.
Consequently, Spain has reportedly begun contemplating alternative opponents should the "Finalissima" arrangements fall through.
Any alteration to the fixture would necessitate complex agreements between the RFEF, European governing body UEFA, South American confederation CONMEBOL, global body FIFA, and the Argentine FA (AFA), especially given Spain's existing fixture against Egypt three days later.
Messi led Argentina to glory in the 2022 ‘Finalissima’ against Italyopen image in gallery
Messi led Argentina to glory in the 2022 ‘Finalissima’ against Italy (Getty Images)
Other potential venues were also explored and dismissed: Madrid was proposed by the RFEF but rejected by the AFA, who preferred a neutral ground.
Morocco's offer to host was declined by the RFEF amid underlying tensions concerning the joint 2030 World Cup bid with Spain and Portugal.
Miami was also considered, partly due to Messi's presence at Inter Miami, but the Hard Rock Stadium is already booked for the Miami Open tennis tournament.
Neither the RFEF, AFA, nor UEFA immediately responded to requests for comment.
A spokesperson for CONMEBOL confirmed that multiple meetings had occurred recently but refrained from confirming Thursday's deadline or London as the preferred venue.