War in Iran, the Grand Final between Spain and Argentina in Qatar cancelled

“After long discussions between UEFA and the organizing authorities of Qatar – writes UEFA -, it was announced today that, due to the current political situation in the region, the final between Spain, winners of Euro 2024, and Argentina, champions of the Copa América 2024, will not be able to take place as scheduled in Qatar on 27 March. It is a matter of great disappointment for UEFA and the organizers that circumstances and timing have prevented the teams from competing for this prestigious award in Qatar, a country that has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to host world-class international events in state-of-the-art facilities. UEFA wishes to express its profound gratitude to the organizing committee and the competent authorities of Qatar for their efforts in attempting to host the match and for the trust placed in the return of peace to the region.”

The alternatives and the ‘no’ of the Argentine Football Federation

With the firm intention of saving the important event and despite the understandable difficulties of moving a match of such importance at such short notice, the note reads, “UEFA has explored other viable alternativesma none of them were acceptable to the Argentine Football Federation“. “The first option was to play the match at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium in Madrid on the original date, with an equal division of the fans present. This solution would have offered a world-class setting, worthy of such a prestigious event, but Argentina refused. The second option envisaged playing the Final in two matches: one at the Santiago Bernabéu on 27 March and the other in Buenos Aires during an international window before the European Championships and the 2028 Copa America, again offering an equal division of the fans for the match in Madrid. This option was also rejected. Ultimately, UEFA asked Argentina for a commitment to play the match on 27 March, as planned and announced on 18 December 2025, if a neutral venue was found in Europe, or, alternatively, on 30 March. This proposal was also rejected. Argentina proposed playing the match after the World Cup, but as there were no dates available in Spain, this option was also discarded. Finally, contrary to the original plan which included the match on March 27, Argentina declared itself available exclusively for March 31, a date which proved to be impractical. As a result, and to the regret of UEFA, this edition of the Grand Final has been cancelled. UEFA would like to express its sincere thanks to Real Madrid CF and the organizing committee and the Qatari authorities for their support and cooperation in attempting to organize the match. In the case of Real Madrid, their efforts were made at extremely short notice. Thanks also go to the Spanish Football Federation for its flexibility in adapting to all the options proposed during the process.”