Alejandro Domínguez
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Report: Yamal’s Spain and Messi’s Argentina set for November Finalissima in a 2026 World Cup final rematch
According to reports, Spain and Argentina could face off in November for the Finalissima, following the Europeans' victory in the 2026 World Cup final. Just days after Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in extra time to win the 2026 World Cup, courtesy of a Ferran Torres goal in the 106th minute, the two sides could be headed for a rematch before the year is out. According to a report from Argentina’s ESPN and DSports, the long-postponed Finalissima between the reigning Copa America and European champions is being revived for later this year. The Finalissima was originally slated to be played in March, pitting Copa America winners Argentina against Euro 2024 champions Spain, but the match was suspended amid the escalating conflict between Iran, the United States and Israel in the Middle East. With broadcast and commercial contracts already signed with the Qatari government for a fixture at Lusail Stadium in Doha, both CONMEBOL and UEFA have kept the door open to staging the game before it expires. CONMEBOL president Alejandro Dominguez and UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin are reportedly in talks to find a workable date on the calendar, with two FIFA windows under consideration: September 21 to October 6, or November 9 to 17. Lamine Yamal lifts the World Cup trophy. (Getty Images) A rematch would give both Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal another shot at facing off just months after their World Cup final meeting, this time with the Finalissima trophy on the line, a title Argentina already won in 2022 by thrashing Italy 3-0. The match could also serve as a potential farewell for Messi in an Argentina shirt, in case he hasn’t already played his last game at MetLife Stadium during the World Cup final, as he has yet to say whether the final was his last game with the national team. Spain’s potential scheduling conflict Playing the Finalissima this year isn’t without its complications, particularly for Spain. Between September, October and November, La Roja are already committed to UEFA Nations League fixtures against England, Croatia and Czechia, leaving little obvious room on the calendar for an extra match. Since the Nations League is a UEFA-run competition, though, the confederation could still rework Spain’s fixture schedule to carve out a window for the Finalissima. Argentina, for its part, is set to return to action between September 21 and October 6 for its next FIFA window, when it could play up to four matches.
CONMEBOL president Alejandro Domínguez backs 64-team 2030 World Cup
CONMEBOL President Alejandro Dominguez has just thrown a massive curveball by backing a mind-blowing expansion to 64 teams for the historic centenary tournament. The 2026 World Cup is in the books, and the soccer world is already buzzing about 2030. CONMEBOL President Alejandro Dominguez has just thrown a massive curveball by backing a mind-blowing expansion to 64 teams for the historic centenary tournament. While the ultimate format still awaits the final seal of approval, the mere whisper of such a mammoth tournament has ignited fierce debate. With the 2026 World Cup introducing a 48-team format, focus has quickly turned to what comes next. The possibility of another expansion would make the centenary tournament unlike anything the sport has witnessed before, with major implications for national team qualification, tournament scheduling, and global participation. The next edition of the World Cup is already set to stand apart from previous editions because it will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first World Cup, held in Uruguay in 1930. Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay will each stage an opening match before the tournament shifts to its primary hosts, Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. That arrangement will make it the first World Cup spread across six host countries on three different continents, creating one of the most ambitious events in soccer history. The FIFA World Cup Winner’s Trophy What did Alejandro Dominguez say about 64-team World Cup? The debate surrounding tournament expansion took another significant step after CONMEBOL president Alejandro Dominguez publicly endorsed a 64-team competition through his social media account. Writing on X, Dominguez said: “The next one is played at home! In 2030, the World Cup is coming to Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay. A great opportunity for soccer, to celebrate the Centenary of the World Cup with a competition featuring 64 teams.” His statement marked the strongest public endorsement yet from one of soccer’s highest-ranking officials. Dominguez also serves as a FIFA vice president and a member of the organization’s Council, giving additional weight to his comments even though FIFA has yet to formally approve the expansion. ¡El próximo se juega en casa! En 2030 se viene el Mundial de Uruguay, Argentina y Paraguay, Una gran oportunidad para el fútbol, para celebrar el Centenario de la Copa del Mundo con una competencia con 64 equipos pic.twitter.com/ocIjHYCN5f— Alejandro Domínguez (@agdws) July 20, 2026 What is FIFA’s stance on the possible format? Although Dominguez spoke confidently about a 64-team tournament, FIFA has not officially announced that the 2030 World Cup will expand beyond the 48-team format introduced in 2026. The governing body has previously acknowledged that the proposal is under consideration. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has indicated the organization would evaluate the idea following the completion of the 2026 tournament. Infantino previously explained, via Caze TV: “When organizing a World Cup, it’s important to organize it for the whole world. Every nation should be allowed to dream of participating in the World Cup.” Those remarks reflected FIFA’s broader objective of increasing opportunities for more national teams across every confederation. FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks about the 2026 World Cup with U.S. President Donald Trump Expansion would reshape qualification around the world A move from 48 to 64 participating national teams would dramatically alter the qualification process across every continent. More available places would likely increase representation from Africa, Asia, CONCACAF, Oceania, and South America, while European nations would also expect additional qualification spots. Such a change could create more opportunities for emerging soccer nations while forcing FIFA to redesign qualification formats once again. The expansion would also increase the number of matches played during the tournament, presenting fresh logist
Lionel Messi could get boost for Argentina’s 2026 World Cup opener as AFA seek Nicolas Otamendi amnesty
Lionel Messi could see his squad boosted for the Argentina 2026 World Cup opener against Algeria as the AFA is seeking for Nicolas Otamendi's amnesty. Lionel Messi is set to anchor an Argentina squad that features only a handful of holdovers from the 2010 World Cup, with veteran defender Nicolás Otamendi joining him for their final run at the 2026 tournament in North America. Ahead of their Group J opener against Algeria, the Albiceleste could receive a significant roster boost as the Argentine Football Association (AFA) aggressively lobbies for an amnesty that would clear Otamendi for the match. Argentina cruised to the top of the CONMEBOL qualifying table as one of the first nations to punch their ticket to the 48-team tournament, but they didn’t escape without a late setback. During the qualifying finale against Ecuador on September 9, 2025, Otamendi was sent off in the 31st minute for a last-man foul, an incident that contributed to a 1-0 defeat for the world champions. Because Argentina has not played a competitive fixture since that match, instead opting for a string of friendlies, including a recent win over Zambia, the mandatory suspension was slated to carry over to their first official game of the 2026 World Cup. Under current FIFA regulations, the red card against Ecuador left Otamendi ineligible for the debut clash against the North African side in Kansas City. Facing the prospect of entering the tournament without a cornerstone of their defense, the AFA has officially opened negotiations with the FIFA Bureau. The federation is pushing for a special indult that would wipe the slate clean for the veteran center-back, citing similar disciplinary precedents recently set by FIFA to ensure the tournament’s biggest stars aren’t sidelined for the opening festivities. Referee Wilmar Roldan shows a red card to Nicolas Otamendi of Argentina. AFA releases statement on Otamendi and Moises Caicedo In an official statement released on Thursday, the AFA confirmed their proactive stance: “The Argentine Football Association, through its President, Claudio Tapia, has conducted negotiations before the FIFA Bureau to ensure that Nicolás Otamendi is eligible for the first match of the FIFA World Cup 2026, following his dismissal against the Ecuadorian National Team in the final match of the CONMEBOL South American Qualifiers.“ The appeal isn’t just a solo effort for Argentina; it also extends a hand to their final qualifying opponent by including Ecuador’s Moises Caicedo in the request, who was also sent off in that same game. “Furthermore, it is worth noting the importance and the support provided by the President of the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL), Alejandro Domínguez, before the Bureau regarding both our player and the Ecuadorian footballer, Moisés Caicedo,” the statement concluded. Otamendi: A pillar of the Messi era After weathering the heartbreak of three consecutive final losses between 2014 and 2016, Otamendi has evolved into a vital vocal leader within the squad. A close confidant of Lionel Messi, the 38-year-old Benfica defender was an ironman for Lionel Scaloni during the 2022 triumph in Qatar, playing every available minute to help secure the nation’s third star. The bond between the two veterans was on full display during a recent warm-up friendly against Zambia, where Messi handed the ball to Otamendi to convert a penalty, a symbolic gesture for a player who has often worn the captain’s armband in Messi’s absence. Otamendi has already signaled that the 2026 World Cup will serve as his last games wearing the Argentina jersey, marking the final chapter of a golden era for the Albiceleste.