The Finalissima between Spain and Argentina is dead, and nobody can quite agree on whose fault that is. What Spain have done instead is shrug, call up 26 players, and schedule a friendly against Serbia in Villarreal for March 27 — the exact date the game with Argentina was supposed to happen.
The original venue, Qatar, became unworkable after Iran's widening military strikes on neighboring Arab states forced the cancellation. That part was nobody's fault. What followed — weeks of failed negotiations over an alternative — is murkier.
UEFA says it offered every feasible alternative it could find, including playing in Madrid, only for Argentina's federation (AFA) to reject them all. CONMEBOL's version: AFA received an offer to play in Italy on March 27, countered with March 31, and the two sides never bridged the gap. Argentina also proposed rescheduling to later in 2025 after the World Cup, but Spain had no available dates. One leg in Madrid now, one in Buenos Aires before the 2028 tournaments, was floated and also shot down.
So — no Lamine Yamal vs. Lionel Messi. At least not this window.
Spain keep it light, but De la Fuente wanted this one
Spain's response was characteristically slick. Their squad announcement came packaged with a short video sketch featuring a fictional Argentine couple — husband desperately sending a voice note to coach Luis de la Fuente begging for tickets to the Serbia game instead. De la Fuente plays along, offering tickets and delivering the line: "Although I would have liked to have seen you at a different game, I am sure this will be a great match as well."
Good content. But De la Fuente was more direct in his press conference: "Both myself and the Spanish federation always wanted to play. Unfortunately, it wasn't to be." He's not wrong to be frustrated. This was a genuine showcase — European champions against World Cup and Copa America holders — and it's gone.
Spain will also play Egypt on March 31 in Barcelona, filling the slot that might have been a historic match with Argentina.
The squad itself has some real talking points
Barcelona goalkeeper Joan García and Arsenal defender Cristhian Mosquera earn first senior call-ups, both rewarded after helping Spain's under-23 side win Olympic gold in Paris. García made the move from Espanyol to Barcelona this season; Mosquera has been part of Arsenal's Premier League title charge after joining from Valencia.
Winger Víctor Muñoz (Osasuna) and forward Ander Barrenetxea (Real Sociedad) are also in for the first time. De la Fuente has gone with four goalkeepers — García joining Unai Simón, David Raya, and Álex Remiro — rather than trimming the list.
The selection debate that actually matters, though, is Rodri versus Martín Zubimendi at the base of midfield. Rodri was the heartbeat of Spain's Euro 2024 win but hasn't fully recaptured that form since his long-term leg injury. Zubimendi has been exceptional at Arsenal. With the World Cup arriving in June, De la Fuente has two friendlies to make a call — and the wrong answer could cost Spain their deepest line of control.
- Goalkeepers: Joan García (Barcelona), David Raya (Arsenal), Unai Simón (Athletic Bilbao), Álex Remiro (Real Sociedad)
- Defenders: Marc Cucurella (Chelsea), Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen), Marcos Llorente (Atlético Madrid), Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona), Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Bilbao), Dean Huijsen (Real Madrid), Cristhian Mosquera (Arsenal), Pedro Porro (Tottenham)
- Midfielders: Rodri (Manchester City), Martín Zubimendi (Arsenal), Pedri (Barcelona), Pablo Fornals (Real Betis), Carlos Soler (Real Sociedad), Dani Olmo (Barcelona), Fermín López (Barcelona)
- Forwards: Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Yéremi Pino (Crystal Palace), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Ander Barrenetxea (Real Sociedad), Víctor Muñoz (Osasuna), Alex Baena (Atlético Madrid), Borja Iglesias (Celta Vigo)
Spain remain among the shorter prices for World Cup glory this summer, and a squad this deep — even without the Finalissima to sharpen them against Argentina — suggests that confidence is justified. The Rodri fitness question is the one variable that could genuinely shift those odds before a ball is kicked in the tournament.
