Stadium battle: AFA and Conmebol firmly reject Santiago Bernabéu | OneFootball

The match between Argentina and Spain, scheduled for next March 27, is caught in the middle of a logistical and political dispute. While various European media outlets claim that the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium is the main candidate to host the event—after Qatar was ruled out due to the war conflict in the Middle East—the stance from this side of the Atlantic is radically different.

According to sources close to the AFA, neither the Argentine football authorities nor Conmebol intend for the match to be played on Spanish soil. The main argument is to avoid giving the Spanish National Team the home advantage. Although South America does not oppose having the trophy decided on the “Old Continent,” the leadership is seeking neutral venues such as Lisbon or Rome to balance the conditions.

In recent hours, a key meeting between UEFA and Conmebol representatives has been confirmed to try to resolve the situation. Despite newspapers like AS and Marca insisting on Madrid as the definitive venue, consensus still seems distant. The goal of both organizations is to reach an agreement that guarantees safety and spectacle, considering that the FIFA date is drawing ever closer.

For their part, the Albiceleste coaching staff is closely following the negotiations. Pablo Aimar, a member of Lionel Scaloni’s team, addressed the issue with caution: “We don’t know yet. We prefer to play wherever it is safe,” said the “Payaso.” He also emphasized the sporting importance of the match against the Spanish, highlighting it as a “good measure” to assess the team’s level ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.