FIFA run out of time in calendar for La Finalissima between Spain and Argentina

It didn’t take long after Argentina secured the Copa America title in extra time over Colombia for people to start pointing out that it would be the first and perhaps only meeting between Lionel Messi, and his heir apparent, Lamine Yamal. However when that happens is no sure thing.

La Finalissima as it is referred to, the trophy contested between the winners of Copa America and the Euros, returned to the calendar for the first time in three decades in 2022, with Argentina victorious over Italy by three goals to nil. A clash between Argentina and Spain would be hotly anticipated, yet as reported by Diario AS, there is currently no space in the calendar for the game.

The game would be scheduled for June of 2025, a year out from the World Cup, but the FIFA Club World Cup could obstruct that happening. The final of the Champions League takes place on the 31st of May, and the FIFA international dates run the week after it. The Club World Cup starts in the USA on the 15th of June, and ends on the 13th of July.

Spain are involved in Nations League clashes in September, October and November, and then will potentially play the quarter-finals in March of 2025. The semi-finals and finals take place on the 4th/5th and 8th of June.

If Spain did not qualify, then there is a chance they would have those dates free, but Argentina are involved in World Cup qualifiers all the way through those dates. It could potentially take place between the 8th and 15th of June, but it would require clubs to cede their players to Argentina and Spain.

If both qualify for the 2026 World Cup without needing the play-offs, the next free date would be March of 2026, just months out from the World Cup. This would nearly two years on from the actual competitions.

FIFA have faced harsh criticism almost universally for the introduction of the 32-team club tournament, with even Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti questioning it, albeit he then backtracked on the comments. On the other hand, player unions are growing increasingly vocal about the dangerously high demands on players at this point. Few clubs seem likely to step in though, with it being lucrative for them too.