The Spain national team already has its plan in place for the Finalissima on March 27 in Qatar. According to the roadmap laid out by head coach Luis de la Fuente, the match against Lionel Messi’s Argentina will serve as the final serious test before the start of the 2026 World Cup, which is why the exact same 26 players who will form the final World Cup squad will travel.

Although the official tournament list will be announced at the end of May, De la Fuente will reveal on March 20 a group that will remain virtually unchanged unless injuries appear. The goal is clear: treat the showdown at the imposing Lusail Stadium as a real competition simulation, measuring themselves against the reigning world champions and current No. 1 in the FIFA rankings.

The match will also allow the Albiceleste to show their cards ahead of the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Both teams will arrive with full squads, aware that beyond the title at stake, the clash represents a chance to send a statement just three months before the global tournament begins.

Qatar Wins the Race to Host the Event

FIFA has decided to provide an exclusive spotlight for the meeting between the champions of Europe and South America. For that reason, no playoff matches will be scheduled on the same day, even though they will take place that weekend.
The chosen venue is Qatar, home of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, which had been pushing for months to secure the event despite the interest of the United States, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.

Jassim Al Jassim, CEO of Qatar’s sports event organizing committee, has already indicated that negotiations with UEFA and CONMEBOL are in advanced stages and that Doha is confident of closing the deal: “It’s a match between two global powers, and we want to host the best events.”
The official announcement will come only once Spain secure their World Cup ticket, something expected after their clash with Turkey in Seville.

A Revived Tradition: The Legacy of the Artemio Franchi Cup

The Finalissima is the successor to the old Artemio Franchi Cup, a tournament that pitted continental champions against each other. Its most recent edition, held right before the Qatar World Cup, saw Argentina defeat Italy 3–0 at Wembley, with goals from Lautaro Martínez, Dybala and Di María.

Earlier versions of the trophy also left memorable stories: France’s victory over Uruguay in 1985, and the iconic 1993 final in which Argentina beat Denmark in Mar del Plata after a penalty shootout, marking the last title of Diego Armando Maradona with the national team.

Now, Spain prepare to revive that tradition in a setting full of symbolism, with their focus firmly on arriving at the World Cup with a fully assembled group and their competitive level at its peak.