Finalissima 2025: Explaining match between winners of Euro 2024 and Copa America, and when & where it will be played
The Finalissima will pit the winners of the European Championship and the Copa America in 2024 against each other.
The game, which brings together the best teams from UEFA and CONMEBOL’s continental tournaments, had been due to make its return to the footballing calendar in 2026.
The previous edition in 2022 saw Argentina defeat Italy 3-0 at Wembley. Lionel Messi and the Albiceleste will defend the trophy this time against Spain, who romped to Euro 2024 glory amid the inspiring performances of Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams and Ballon d’Or winner Rodri.
The tournament has just three previous editions, having resumed in 2022 after being discontinued in 1993.
The Sporting News has all the details on what is known so far about the Finalissima 2025.
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What is the Finalissima?
The Finalissima is a tournament that brings together the winners of UEFA’s continental tournament, the European Championship, with the champions from the Americas, the Copa America holders.
It’s played as a one-off match, with the winner taking home a special Finalissima trophy.
The word “Finalissima” means “grand final” in Italian.
Previously the title was known officially as the European/South American Nations Cup and then the Artemio Franchi Cup, after the Italian former president of UEFA who conceived the idea.
Who is playing in the Finalissima 2026?
The 2026 Finalissima will be contested by the winners of the 2024 European Championship and the Copa America.
Spain are the European representatives after defeating England 2-1 in the final in Berlin. They will face Argentina after Lionel Messi’s side beat Colombia 1-0 in extra time in their Copa America final in Miami.
When is the Finalissima 2025?
The Finalissima is scheduled to take place on Friday, March 27, 2026. UEFA confirmed the news a few days after Argentine journalist Gaston Edul reported the same.
Where is the Finalissima 2025 being played?
The Finalissima is slated to be played at Lusail Stadium in Qatar, the largest arena in the Middle East and the venue for the 2022 World Cup final.
Should it go ahead, the game will kick off at 9 p.m. local time (1 p.m. ET).
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said: “The Finalissima brings together two continental champions in one of football’s most prestigious occasions, highlighting the game’s truly global reach and the enduring bond between our confederations. We look forward to a memorable night of world-class football and celebration.”
Wembley Stadium in London, England was the venue for the 2022 Finalissima.
Is the Finalissima postponed?
The escalating war in the Middle East, sparked by the United States and Israel’s joint attack on Iran, has cast doubt on whether the game will go ahead as planned.
Qatar postponed its domestic sport in early March due to security concerns after Iranian drones and missles were fired at the country. Tehran insists the targets were all military installations, but Qatar’s prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al Thani, told Sky News that airports, water utilities and gas infrastructure had all been hit.
The potential safety risk means the Finallissima and the friendly matches due to be staged this month could all be postponed, although FIFA, UEFA and CONMEBOL have all so far insisted no decisions have been taken and that the situation is being monitored.
