The Finalissima match featuring Messi and Yamal has an unexpected announcement

One stadium has been excluded from the list of hosts for the Finalissima between Argentina led by Lionel Messi and Spain led by Lamine Yamal.

With the 2026 World Cup approaching and the last qualifying spots still undecided, Lionel Messi and Argentina face another major challenge: the 2026 Finalissima against Lamine Yamal's Spain team, scheduled for March. As anticipation grows, a crucial detail has just emerged, altering the venue situation.

Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, once a strong candidate to host the match, has officially been ruled out due to a packed event schedule in the first half of the year.

According to Jose Armando from Deporte Total USA, the Finalissima falls right in the busiest period for Miami. The 65,000-seat stadium, home to the Miami Dolphins football team, will host the College Football Playoff final on January 19. Immediately after, organizers must prepare the center court for the Miami Open tennis tournament, a process lasting 4 to 6 weeks plus testing time. Additionally, the Miami Grand Prix F1 race takes place in March, making it impossible to schedule a high-profile match like the Finalissima.

Losing Hard Rock Stadium is a big setback for Messi and his teammates, as Argentina lifted the 2024 Copa America trophy there after Lautaro Martinez scored in extra time against Colombia.

With Hard Rock Stadium out, three venues remain in contention to host this international match: Lusail Stadium (Qatar), where Argentina won their third World Cup, Estadio Centenario (Montevideo) and Wembley Stadium (London), where Messi and his team defeated Italy in the 2022 Finalissima.

Furthermore, Uruguay has shown strong determination to host the Finalissima, with a plan to hold the match at Centenario Stadium in Montevideo.

Centenario Stadium is a historic football icon, having hosted the first World Cup final in 1930. The Uruguayan Football Association aims to make this high-profile clash the last historic event before upgrading the legendary stadium for the 2030 World Cup.

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