Why Argentina nearly pulled the plug on the Finalissima last year

December 2025. The Argentina delegation arrives in Washington for the 2026 World Cup draw with a striking and unexpected message about the next Finalissima.

“We don’t know if it will be played,” Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni says.

In the hours leading up to the ceremony, Argentina’s press had already reported growing doubts about the match between Spain and Argentina. With the World Cup fast approaching, the risk of a painful defeat in a high profile exhibition had reportedly made the fixture increasingly complicated to organize.

Tension behind the scenes in Argentina

There was more to the story than simple scheduling concerns.

At the time, an investigation involving Claudio ‘Chiqui’ Tapia, president of the Argentine Football Association, was underway. Internal disputes were also simmering inside the federation, including tensions between the national team squad and its leadership.

The situation reached a boiling point after a controversial friendly in Angola. The match, widely seen as a commercial venture for the federation, disrupted Scaloni’s planning and raised concerns about player workload. Even Lionel Messi played the full 90 minutes, despite the risks in an already crowded international calendar.

A passive response from South America’s leaders

Despite the growing controversy, officials from CONMEBOL and the Argentine federation appeared largely passive.

In what critics described as a symbolic gesture, CONMEBOL president Alejandro Domínguez made a brief visit to Tapia just 24 hours before the final decision was expected.

For now, there is still hope that the Finalissima between Argentina and Spain will eventually be played. But after months of uncertainty and political maneuvering, the competition may already have suffered damage that proves difficult to repair.

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