Key Highlights
- Lionel Messi's Argentina were set to face Spain in the intercontinental match, which is contested between the winners of the Copa America and the Euros.
- ADVERTISEMENT Argentina and Spain won the 2024 edition of the South American and European championships to become eligible for the one-off match, which was the most-awaited international fixture ahead of the FIFA World Cup scheduled to be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada between June 11 and July 19.
- Messi’s Argentina had lifted the 2022 edition of the Finalissima, defeating Italy 3-0, months before they lifted a third World Cup in Qatar.
- ADVERTISEMENT Qatar was one of the Middle East countries affected by the escalation of tension between Iran and a combination of the United States and Israel.
- Iran attacked multiple US military bases in the Gulf in retaliation for Israeli strikes on its soil that left hundreds dead, including the nation's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
