Alkass English
The Local Organising Committee (LOC) for Football Events has confirmed that Qatar will host the men’s Finalissima 2026 at Lusail Stadium on 27 March 2026. The prestigious one-off match will pit European champions Spain against South American champions Argentina in a highly anticipated showdown between the holders of continental titles.
For Argentina, the occasion carries added symbolism, marking a return to Lusail Stadium, where La Albiceleste famously defeated France in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 final to end a 36-year wait for the trophy.
H.E. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, Minister of Sports and Youth and Chairman of the LOC, expressed pride in staging the event, highlighting Qatar’s proven ability to deliver world-class tournaments and exceptional experiences for fans, teams and media. He noted that hosting Finalissima 2026 reflects the continued confidence of international football bodies in Qatar’s organisational capabilities.
The announcement follows a landmark period for football in Qatar, with the LOC delivering a record-breaking 2025 season. This included hosting the first-ever 48-team FIFA U-17 World Cup, with 104 matches played at a single venue, alongside the AGCFF U-17 Gulf Cup. Qatar has also staged the U23 Gulf Cup Qatar 2025 and hosted the final three matches of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2025 during the rest days of the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025, which concluded on 18 December.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin said the Finalissima represents the unity of European and South American football, describing it as a celebration of the global reach of the sport and promising an unforgettable night of elite football at Lusail Stadium.