Spain sets up Serbia friendly after Finalissima called off

Euro 2024 winners Spain will face Serbia in a friendly on March 27 to replace the Finalissima match against Argentina in Qatar, cancelled partly due to the war in the Middle East.

"The national team will travel to the city of Castellon to face the Balkan team in a demanding match," said the Spanish football federation in a statement on Monday.

The match will be played at Villarreal's Estadio de la Ceramica.

Spain had been set to face Lionel Messi's Argentina in Doha but because of the war, triggered by US-Israeli strikes on February 28 against Iran, organisers looked for a new location or date.

UEFA said Sunday Argentina had not accepted any of the various alternative proposals offered, leading to the cancellation of the match.

The Finalissima, played since 2022, pits the Copa America champions against the winners of the European Championship.

Luis de la Fuente's side were also due to face Egypt in Qatar on March 30 in a friendly, with Spanish media reporting they are likely to still do so but at an alternative venue in Spain and a day later than scheduled.

Spain are one of the strong favourites to lift the World Cup this summer in the United States, Canada and Mexico.