Argentina To Take On Guatemala, Spain To Face Sebia In Exhibitions After Finalissima Chalked Off

Last Updated:March 18, 2026, 12:39 IST

The match between the reigning Copa América champions and holders of the European Championship has been cancelled due to the war triggered by US-Israeli strikes.

World champions Argentina will face Guatemala in a friendly match to replace the cancelled Finalissima game against European champions Spain in Qatar, which was affected by the Middle East conflict.

Lionel Messi’s Argentina, also the Copa America holders, were initially scheduled to play Spain in Doha on March 27. However, the war triggered by US-Israeli strikes on February 28 against Iran led organisers to seek an alternative location or date.

UEFA announced on Sunday that it had to cancel the match as Argentina had rejected all proposed alternatives.

“After much discussion between UEFA and the organising authorities in Qatar, it is announced today that due to the current political situation in the region, the Finalissima between UEFA EURO 2024 winners Spain and CONMEBOL Copa América 2024 champions Argentina cannot be played as hoped in Qatar on 27 March," UEFA said in a statement.

“It is a source of great disappointment to UEFA and the organisers that circumstances and timing have denied the teams of the chance to compete for this prestigious prize in Qatar a country that has demonstrated time and again its capability of staging world class international events in state-of-the-art facilities," it added.

“As a result, and to UEFA’s regret, this edition of the Finalissima has been cancelled," said UEFA.

The following day, Spain revealed they would play Serbia in a friendly on March 27 in Villarreal instead. Now, Argentina have confirmed their own alternative friendly against Guatemala in Buenos Aires on March 31.

One option was to hold the match at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, home of Real Madrid C.F., with an even 50:50 split of supporters. Another idea was to stage the fixture over two legs – the first in Madrid on March 27, and the second in Buenos Aires during a later international window before UEFA Euro 2028 and Copa América 2028.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni reportedly rejected both options. Concerns about disrupting preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and financial disagreements involving the Argentine Football Association also influenced the decision. Spain was said to be open to both proposals and willing to earn less if the match could proceed.

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