The highly anticipated Finalissima between Lionel Messi’s Argentina and Lamine Yamal’s Spain is gaining traction, with the 2026 World Cup less than a year away. While the date is nearly finalized, a new country has reportedly entered the race to host the showdown.
Spanish Football Federation president Rafael Louzán and AFA president Claudio Tapia have reached an agreement to stage the Finalissima during the March 2026 international break—just ahead of the World Cup. While an exact day has yet to be confirmed, the match is expected to take place in the final weeks of that month.
As with the date, the venue has not been officially confirmed. After England hosted the 2022 edition at Wembley, it once again offered to host the match, alongside potential bids from Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Now, a fourth contender has emerged.
Uruguay steps in as Finalissima host candidate
According to TyC Sports, the Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) is actively pursuing the opportunity to host the Finalissima between Argentina and Spain. The proposed venue is Montevideo’s iconic Estadio Centenario, setting the stage for a blockbuster clash between Messi and Yamal.
The AUF’s intention is to stage the match just before renovation work begins at the stadium ahead of the 2030 World Cup. That tournament will open at the Centenario in tribute to the 100th anniversary of the inaugural World Cup before shifting across the Atlantic to co-hosts Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.
While no official confirmation has been issued, Uruguay officials have reportedly begun logistics planning to ensure the venue meets FIFA’s international hosting standards.
Of the three Finalissima editions held to date, only one has taken place on South American soil—in 1993, when Argentina hosted Denmark. Now, the site of the first-ever World Cup final could once again make history, potentially serving as the stage for a generational clash between Messi and Yamal.
