Argentina and Spain They will fight on March 27, 2026 to conquer the Finalissimea trophy formerly known as the Artemio Franchi Cup and which historically pits the South American champion (Conmebol) and the best European team (UEFA) against each other. A match which has not always appeared on the football calendar and which has not taken place regularly, since it only has three previous ones.
The trophy started in 1985under the nomenclature of Copa Artemio Franchi. This first match took place at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris and France and Uruguay faced each other. Henri Michel’s French team added a new crown thanks to goals from Dominique Rocheteau and José Touré.
In 1993 came the first albiceleste titlewho overcame Néstor Craviotto’s first own goal. This edition, which took place in Mar de Plata, ended in penalties and was celebrated by players like Diego Armando Maradona, Diego Pablo Simeone and Gabriel Batistuta.
But the one known as the Artemio Franchi Cup did not continue. This was no longer contested and recovered in 2022under the name of Finalissima and with another joy for Argentina. Lautaro Martínez, Ángel Di María and Paulo Dybala scored the goals for the team led by Lionel Scaloni, who left Italy no chance (0-3).
In 2026, it will be the fourth time as the European champions face their South American counterparts, in a trophy that the Argentine team has captured in recent years. It is the team that has succeeded the most times, in two attempts out of three.
Finalissima in Qatar
As confirmed by the organizers, the meeting between Spain and Argentina will take place on March 27 (7 p.m.) at Lusail Stadium in Doha, Qatarthe same one that hosted the final of the last World Cup, where the albiceleste were proclaimed champions on penalties, after an agonizing final against France, which ended in a three-way tie in regulation time.
The Argentine team returns to the stadium where it won the long-awaited third star, although this time it will face Spain, which arrives as European championas well as number one in the FIFA rankings, just ahead of the South American team.
The last official duel between the two teams dates back to March 2018, when they faced each other in a friendly match in Madrid with Spain wins 6-1. In history, they have met 14 times with a balanced record: six wins for each team and two draws. A duel which has another additional attraction, a possible face to face between Leo Messi and Lamine Yamal.
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