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Qatar has announced it will host a major international football showcase this March, unveiling the Qatar Football Festival 2026, a six-match event featuring the men’s Finalissima between Argentina and Spain.
The festival will take place from 26-31 March, during an official FIFA international window, ensuring the participation of full national teams and first-team players.
The headline fixture will see European champions Spain face South American champions Argentina at Lusail Stadium on 27 March, marking one of the most high-profile international matches scheduled ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Alongside the Finalissima, the festival will include a series of international friendlies involving Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Serbia, spread across Qatar’s World Cup stadiums.
Global stars set for Doha
Because the matches fall within FIFA’s designated window, all teams will field their senior squads, meaning some of football’s biggest names are expected to feature in Qatar this March.
Among those likely to appear are Lionel Messi, Mohamed Salah, Lamine Yamal, Aleksandar Mitrović and Omar Marmoush, with organisers expecting strong line-ups across all fixtures.
The full schedule includes six matches, culminating in Qatar v Argentina at Lusail Stadium on 31 March.
Qatar builds on football legacy
The Local Organising Committee for Football Events said the festival reflects Qatar’s continued commitment to hosting elite international football and providing top-level preparation opportunities for national teams ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“We look forward to welcoming players and fans from around the world as we prepare to host the world’s biggest football stars ahead of the FIFA World Cup,” said LOC Chairman Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
“We are honoured to open our doors once again to the global football community. Hosting the Qatar Football Festival reflects our commitment to delivering world-class experiences and reaffirms Qatar’s position as a trusted partner in global football.”
Tickets for the Qatar Football Festival will go on sale from 25 February, with travel packages for international fans available from 1 February.