History of Finalissima in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 15, 2026

The Finalissima is an intercontinental football match between the winners of the Copa América and the European Championship, organized by CONMEBOL and UEFA. It serves as a national team equivalent to the former Intercontinental Cup for club teams. Previously held in 1985 and 1993, it was revived in 2022 following an agreement between the two confederations. The competition pits the champions of South America against the champions of Europe in a one-off match.

1983: Road accident of Artemio Franchi

In 1983, Artemio Franchi, former president of UEFA, died in a road accident. The competition's trophy, the "Artemio Franchi Cup" was named after him.

1984: UEFA Euro 1984

In 1984, France won the UEFA Euro 1984 and played the first edition of the Artemio Franchi Cup in 1985 against Uruguay.

1985: First Finalissima

In 1985, the first Finalissima, then known as the European/South American Nations Cup, took place. It is an intercontinental football match organised by CONMEBOL and UEFA.

1985: First Edition of the Cup

In 1985, the first edition of the European/South American Nations Cup, later known as the Artemio Franchi Cup, was held. France, the UEFA Euro 1984 winner, hosted and won against Uruguay, the 1983 Copa América winner, with a score of 2-0 at the Parc des Princes in Paris.

1987: Copa América 1987

In 1987, Uruguay won the Copa América and couldn't agree on a date to play the Artemio Franchi Cup against the Netherlands (UEFA Euro 1988 winners).

1988: Inability to agree on a date

In 1988, the Netherlands (UEFA Euro 1988 winners) and Uruguay (1987 Copa América winners) were unable to agree on a date for the match. So the competition did not take place four years later.

1988: UEFA Euro 1988

In 1988, the Netherlands won the UEFA Euro and faced Brazil, the 1989 Copa América champions, in an international friendly played in December 1989 in De Kuip, Rotterdam.

1991: Copa América 1991

In 1991, Argentina won the Copa América and played the second edition of the Artemio Franchi Cup in 1993 against Denmark.

1992: UEFA Euro 1992

In 1992, Denmark won the UEFA Euro and played the second edition of the Artemio Franchi Cup in 1993 against Argentina.

1992: First King Fahd Cup

In 1992, the King Fahd Cup was played for the first time and can be considered a precursor of the Artemio Franchi Cup.

1993: Discontinuation of the competition

After 1993, the competition was discontinued, but matches between the reigning champions of Europe and South America occasionally occurred outside the framework of the tournament.

1993: Second Finalissima

In 1993, the Finalissima was held for the second time. It is an intercontinental football match organised by CONMEBOL and UEFA, contested by the winners of the Copa América and Euros.

1993: Second Edition of the Cup

In 1993, the second edition of the Artemio Franchi Cup was held. Argentina, the 1991 Copa América winner, hosted and won against Denmark, the UEFA Euro 1992 winner, with a score of 5-4 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time at the Estadio José María Minella in Mar del Plata.

1996: UEFA Euro 1996

In 1996, Germany won the UEFA Euro and hosted Brazil, the 1997 Copa América champions, in an international friendly in March 1998 in Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadion, Stuttgart.

1997: Copa América 1997

In 1997, Brazil won the Copa América and played an international friendly against Germany, the UEFA Euro 1996 winners, in March 1998 in Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadion, Stuttgart.

1997: FIFA organizes King Fahd Cup

In 1997, FIFA organized the King Fahd Cup from its third edition. The competition featured title holders of the continental championships and FIFA World Cup.

2017: Last FIFA Confederations Cup

In 2017, the FIFA Confederations Cup was played for the last time.

2019: Abolishment of FIFA Confederations Cup

In March 2019, FIFA announced that the FIFA Confederations Cup tournament would be abolished, after the 2017 edition.

February 2020: UEFA and CONMEBOL signed a renewed memorandum

In February 2020, UEFA and CONMEBOL signed a renewed memorandum of understanding meant to enhance cooperation between the two organisations.

2020: UEFA Euro 2020

In 2020, the UEFA Euro took place and was won by Italy. However the tournament was held in 2021 and the winner played the Finalissima in 2022 against Argentina.

September 2021: Confirmation of Intercontinental Match

On 28 September 2021, UEFA and CONMEBOL confirmed that the UEFA European Championship and Copa América winners would face each other in an intercontinental match, with the agreement initially covering three editions starting in 2022.

December 2021: UEFA and CONMEBOL signed a renewed memorandum lasting until 2028

On 15 December 2021, UEFA and CONMEBOL again signed a renewed memorandum of understanding lasting until 2028, which included specific provisions on opening a joint office in London and the potential organisation of various football events.

2021: Copa América 2021

In 2021, Argentina won the Copa América and played the Finalissima in 2022 against Italy.

March 2022: New name of the trophy announced

On 22 March 2022, UEFA announced that the "CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions" would be the new name of the trophy for the Artemio Franchi Cup.

2022: 2022 Finalissima Game

Following the 2022 Finalissima, the next game was originally expected to take place in 2025.

2022: Launch of Women's Finalissima

In 2022, a women's equivalent, the Women's Finalissima between the winners of the UEFA Women's Championship and the Copa América Femenina, was launched.

2023: First edition of Women's Finalissima

In 2023, the first edition of the Women's Finalissima was played at Wembley between UEFA Women's Euro 2022 winners England and 2022 Copa América Femenina winners Brazil.

2024: Teams confirmed for next finalissima

The finalissima game will be contested between UEFA Euro 2024 winners Spain and 2024 Copa América winners Argentina, with the latter in their third consecutive appearance.

May 2025: Confederations confirmed game

On 16 May 2025, both confederations confirmed the finalissima game. Then later in December of the same year it was confirmed that the match would be held at the Lusail Stadium, Qatar.