UEFA has cancelled the Finalissima clash between Argentina and Spain due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The match between the European champions and the Copa América winners, earlier scheduled to take place in Doha, Qatar, on March 27 was cancelled due to the growing security concerns in the region.

UEFA offered several options to hold the game after talks were unsuccessful with the Argentine Football Association.

The European football governing body explained in a statement that attempts to reschedule the game failed.

“It is a source of great disappointment to UEFA and the organisers that circumstances and timing have denied the teams the chance to compete for this prestigious prize in Qatar,” UEFA said.

One of the options was to host the game at the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid and the other was to have a two-leg game. The first match would have been played in Madrid on March 27 with a second leg in Buenos Aires in Argentina.

Both proposals were turned down by Argentina and informed the organisers that the national team would not be available on the original date and could only play on March 31.

The Spanish FA tirelessly worked together with UEFA to find possible alternatives and for all means to make the game hold either in Spain or any other venue.

The war involving the US, Iran, and Israel has disrupted a number of sports events in the region. This includes the MotoGP World Championship race in Qatar, moved from April 12 to November 8.

The situation has altered global oil prices and affected global economic activities.

The long-awaited clash was highly anticipated by football fans around the world, and would have been the first meeting between former FC Barcelona legend Lionel Messi and Barcelona teenage star Lamine Yamal.

The first Finalissima was held in 2022 at Wembley Stadium in London when Argentina defeated Italy 3-0.