Doubts Mount as Messi and Yamal Face a Questionable Finalissima in Qatar

Uncertain Finalissima in Qatar

Obstacles threaten the official Finalissima in Qatar.

The eagerly awaited clash between Argentina and Spain might not take place on its scheduled date in March, in Qatar.

According to the AS newspaper, Lionel Scaloni’s remarks at the World Cup 2026 draw cast doubt on a March 27 staging.

The report notes a rift between Scaloni and the Argentine Football Association over the match.

Scaloni himself said: it isn’t that playing in March is impossible, but he would have preferred an earlier date.

He even mentioned De La Fuente, his Spanish counterpart, as a friend with whom he discussed the plan, though no final stance was given.

AS adds the Argentine side’s enthusiasm is cooler than Spain’s for a match that would pit Messi against Lamine Yamal, at least for the press.

The first concern would be a doubtful morale drop ahead of a World Cup that both are seen as contenders to win.

A March fixture could also blunt interest if both reach the World Cup final, re-opening the question months later.

AS concludes that a final decision will come in a few days, with other options including a Middle East friendly in March.

Punchline 1: Timing is everything—unless you’re Messi, in which case the ball finds you and time stands still.

Punchline 2: If the final doesn’t happen in March, we’ll blame the calendar—it’s clearly on a World Cup energy-saving mode.