This was reported in a statement by UEFA, which failed to reach an agreement with CONMEBOL to change the venue of the match
The first option was to play the match at the Santiago Bernabéu, keeping the original date of March 27 and with an equitable distribution of 50% of the tickets for each selection. However, Argentina did not accept that proposal
The Grand Final between the Argentine National Team and the Spanish National Team, which was due to be played next Friday, March 27 at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar, will finally not be played. This was announced by UEFA after confirming that the political situation in the Middle East prevents the match from being held in the host country.
In an official statement, UEFA explained that the decision was made after several negotiations with local authorities. “After intensive talks between UEFA and the organizing authorities of Qatar, it was announced today that, due to the current political situation in the region, the Grand Final between Spain, winner of Euro 2024, and Argentina, champion of the 2024 CONMEBOL Copa América, will not be able to be played, as expected, in Qatar on March 27,
” said the European organization.
The entity also expressed its frustration at the cancellation of the meeting. “It is a great disappointment for UEFA and the organizers that circumstances and timing have deprived teams of the opportunity to compete for this prestigious trophy in Qatar,” the statement said, while stressing that the country “has demonstrated time and again its ability to organize first-rate international events in cutting-edge facilities
.”In addition, the organization thanked the local organizing committee for its work and expressed its hope that "peace will return to the region soon”.
On the other hand, UEFA explained that it tried to maintain the match through different alternatives, but all ended up being rejected by the Argentine Football Association
The second alternative proposed a two-game Final: the first in Madrid on March 27 and the second in Buenos Aires in a future international window prior to Euro 2028 and the Copa América 2028. That proposal was also discarded.
Later, UEFA asked Argentina to commit to playing the match at a neutral venue in Europe on March 27 or 30, but that option failed either.
According to the agency, the AFA proposed playing the game after the next World Cup, although that possibility was ruled out because Spain had no dates available. Finally, Argentina indicated that it could only play the match on March 31, a date that UEFA considered unfeasible
.
"As a result, and much to the regret of UEFA, this edition of the Final has been canceled,” the statement concluded, along with thanks to Real Madrid for its willingness to give up Santiago Bernabéu with very little notice, as well as the flexibility shown by the Royal Spanish Football Federation during the negotiations
.
