CONMEBOL and UEFA are facing a challenge that the football world is no longer staying silent about: the packed schedule that’s putting more and more pressure on players each year.
FIFA has been hearing a lot of complaints, especially about the upcoming Club World Cup set for 2025.
One particular issue involves the Finalissima, a competition that kicked off in 2021 at Wembley. The organizers are struggling to find a date for the match between Argentina (Copa América champions) and Spain (Euro Cup winners) to compete for the second trophy.
The problem is, the dates just don’t line up. In South America, the FIFA break is being used to finish the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, while in Europe, they’ll be focused on the Nations League. This means there’s no open window on the calendar until at least September 2025.
Advertisement
Latest Press Conference
We’re on Social Media
Next year’s schedule is also packed with the Club World Cup in June and the revamped UEFA Champions League, whose final is set for May 30. With changes to the Europa League and other continental competitions as well, the Finalissima might get postponed to 2026—or possibly even canceled.
Looking ahead to 2026, UEFA and CONMEBOL are aiming to hold the Finalissima in March of that year. FIFA has a window for international matches, with teams preparing for the World Cup in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.
Argentina doesn’t have any commitments lined up for that time, as their World Cup qualifiers will wrap up in September 2025 with a match against Venezuela. Spain could also be free, provided they don’t need to play in the UEFA World Cup Qualifiers play-offs.
Both teams will likely prioritize preparations for the 2026 World Cup, so it remains to be seen whether it’ll be convenient for them to play such a high-profile match before the tournament. In other words, we wouldn’t be too shocked if this edition of the Finalissima doesn’t happen.
As for where the match might take place, there’s no neutral venue in South America that’s ideal for the event, although the AFA has suggested the Estadio Monumental. However, since the last match took place in Europe, UEFA and CONMEBOL are open to whichever option offers the best financial return for everyone involved. That means the U.S. or one of Europe’s major cities are still on the table. A decision will be made soon.