💥AFA hits back at UEFA, Finalissima row rumbles on | OneFootball

The world of football has been dealt a heavy blow with the definitive cancellation of the 2026 Finalissima between Argentina and Spain. After it became impossible to play in Qatar due to the political situation in the region, UEFA and the AFA issued conflicting statements revealing a tense, failed negotiation marked by logistical disagreements and issues of sporting fairness.

The Venue Conflict: Madrid or Neutral Ground?

UEFA revealed that, after the Qatar venue fell through, it tried to save the event by offering the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. However, the AFA and CONMEBOL systematically rejected any option involving Madrid—including a home-and-away proposal with Buenos Aires—arguing that playing in Spain "would violate the principle of sporting fairness" since it would not be a neutral venue for the European champion.

https://twitter.com/afa/status/2033212393963008235?s=20

Finally, on Saturday, March 14, the possibility of playing in Italy emerged. Although both parties accepted the location, the agreement fell apart over a difference of just 96 hours in the schedule.

The Maze of Dates and the Final "No"

According to UEFA, the Argentine federation was inflexible, refusing to play on March 27 or 30 and insisting exclusively on March 31. For its part, the AFA maintains that it accepted the idea of Italy "without objections," but that moving the date to the 31st was a logical necessity given the short preparation time. UEFA ruled that this date was "unfeasible" due to Spain's commitments, also rejecting Argentina's idea of playing after the World Cup.

https://twitter.com/rfef/status/2033176678030070109?s=20

An Ending with Reproaches and Thanks

While UEFA regretted the "lack of agreement" and thanked Real Madrid for their last-minute willingness, the AFA emphasized that its willingness to play on neutral ground was constant from day one. Both entities thanked Qatar for its initial willingness, but the result is unchangeable: the most anticipated international football celebration of the year has come to nothing due to bureaucratic rigidity.

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

📸 LUIS ROBAYO - AFP or licensors