Finalissima

Money or safety? Spain vs Argentina Finalissima still on the calendar despite Qatar chaos

Missile alerts, closed airspace, and thousands stranded in Doha raise urgent questions about whether the high-stakes match should go ahead.

Aritz Gabilondo Roddy Cons

Update: Mar 6th, 2026 10:25 EST

Qatar is pushing ahead with its plan to host the next edition of the Finalissima on March 27 at Lusail Stadium. The event is reportedly being financed directly by the country’s emir, leaving both UEFA and CONMEBOL with little room to maneuver.

But with just 20 days before the delegations from Spain national football team and Argentina national football team are scheduled to travel to Doha, the situation on the ground is rapidly becoming untenable.

Missile alerts trigger panic

At 3:43 a.m. early Friday morning local time, mobile phones across Qatar received an emergency alert. The same thing had happened the previous afternoon.

The reason was a series of drone and missile attacks targeting U.S. military bases in the region. According to local authorities, Qatar’s air defense systems intercepted the incoming threats.

Airspace closed as residents try to flee

Under those circumstances, staging an international match of this magnitude, along with five additional games planned as part of what organizers are calling the Qatar Football Festival, increasingly appears unrealistic.

Foreign residents have been trying to leave the country, but Qatar’s airspace has been closed. The only way out is to travel overland to neighboring countries and catch flights from cities such as Riyadh or Dubai. Crossing the land border is a decision each person must make at their own risk.

Thousands of foreign residents are currently stuck in Doha after the airspace closure, including roughly 15,000 American civilians, along with thousands of U.S. troops stationed in Qatar.

Soccer community caught in the crisis

The soccer world has not been spared.

The partner of former Real Madrid academy product Raúl de Tomás and their three-month-old baby are unable to return to Spain. The partner of Pablo Sanz, an assistant to Julen Lopetegui with the Spanish national team, also cannot leave the country despite needing medical treatment in the Spanish city of Seville.

Money or safety? Spain vs Argentina Finalissima still on the calendar despite Qatar chaos — U.S. air bases in Qatar has been targeted by Iranian missiles. Mohammed Salem

Diplomatic efforts underway

Authorities are scrambling to find solutions to what many describe as a nightmare scenario.

The U.S. embassy in Qatar has urged American citizens to leave if it is safe to do so and has provided resources for those seeking guidance. On Thursday, it said it is ‘currently exploring options to assist U.S. citizens in reaching a safe destination.’”

Finalissima decision still pending

Despite the chaos, the Finalissima remains officially scheduled to take place in Doha.

Local leagues have been suspended and professional players are idle, yet organizers have not canceled the event. According to both UEFA and CONMEBOL, a final decision will not be made until sometime next week.

The options are stark. Move the match to a different host country, or push forward in Qatar to secure the multimillion-dollar payment tied to staging the event, despite the escalating risks.

For now, the showdown between Spain and Argentina remains on the calendar, even as the crisis around it deepens.