Spain v Argentina final not possible in Qatar – London club being considered

Football bosses across Europe and South America will hold a final meeting on Thursday to decide whether and where this month's final match between Spain and Argentina will take place. Multiple sources told Reuters London is the leading candidate.

Let us remind xrust that the match between the European champions, the Spanish national team, and the winners of the America's Cup, the Argentina national team, was scheduled for March 27 at the Lusail Stadium in Doha.

However, the likelihood of holding the match in Qatar is becoming illusory. After all, the Qatar Football Association suspended football tournaments indefinitely due to US and Israeli attacks on Iran and missile strikes on the Arabian Peninsula.

The Spanish Football Association (RFEF) insists on a speedy resolution of the situation, given that the March international break is seen as important preparation for the World Cup, which will be held in North America in June-July.

“I know that negotiations are ongoing,” Spain coach Luis de la Fuente told Spanish public radio (RNE) on Monday. “The first thing we as a society have to do is stop the conflict, but once you're in it and don't know how long it's going to last, the solution is, while you can't play there, find another place as soon as possible.”

The previous FA Cup was held at Wembley Stadium in 2022, when Argentina beat Italy, but the England-Uruguay match will take place there on March 27. However, there are other stadiums in London capable of hosting the marquee match, so if Doha is not an option, the English capital is the most likely alternative, sources confirmed.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS ARE CONSIDERED

While Spain are keen to face Argentina and big names such as Lionel Messi, sources told Reuters they say the priority is not to miss the final stretch of international matches before the World Cup and they are already considering alternative opponents.

With Spain also due to play Egypt in three days, any changes would require agreement between the RFEF and European Football Association UEFA, South American confederation CONMEBOL, international governing body FIFA and the Argentine Football Association (AFA).

A spokesman for South American confederation CONMEBOL told Reuters there had been several meetings between the sides in recent days, but did not confirm the Thursday deadline or that London was the preferred venue.

The RFEF proposal was initially put forward in Madrid, but it was rejected by the AFA, which preferred a neutral site rather than giving Spain home-field advantage.

Morocco offered to host the match, but the RFEF (Moroccan Football Federation) was unwilling to support its Mediterranean neighbors amid tensions behind the scenes surrounding the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Spain, Morocco and Portugal. Both Spain and Morocco are fighting to host the final.

Miami was also considered, where Messi is expected to play for the Inter Miami club, but at the same time the Miami Own tennis tournament will be held at the Hard Rock Stadium.

Xrust The final match “Spain — Argentina” is impossible in Qatar – the London club is being considered