UEFA and CONMEBOL have announced that Euro 2020 winners Italy will play against Copa America champions Argentina in a "Finalissima" on June 1, 2022.
This news comes after both governing bodies revealed on Sunday that they have signed a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) until June 2028, a partnership to promote the development and growth of football in both Europe and South America.
The first MoU event to take place will be in the summer of 2022 at an unconfirmed stadium in London between Italy and Argentina, and the friendly showdown has been labelled by UEFA as a "Finalissima" between both nations.
Both governing bodies also revealed that they will share an office located in London which will be officially inaugurated at the beginning of 2022.
Italy became the champions of Europe when they beat England in the Euro 2020 final at Wembley Stadium on July 11, just a day after Argentina claimed their first Copa America title since 1993 when they beat South American rivals Brazil.
✨ 𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒎𝒂! ✨ #EURO2020 champions Italy will face #CopaAmerica winners Argentina in London on 1 June 2022!
— UEFA (@UEFA) December 15, 2021
🤝 UEFA and @CONMEBOL also announce a renewed Memorandum of Understanding, a shared office and the potential organisation of a variety of events.
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"We are delighted to build upon our excellent relationship with CONMEBOL, and our strong desire to act jointly for the development of football and its benefits to society is further reflected by this new Memorandum of Understanding," UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said on their official website.
"There is a long tradition of cooperation between UEFA and CONMEBOL, as could be witnessed over the years with competitions such as the Artemio Franchi Trophy and the Intercontinental Cup, and it is with great pride that we are relaunching such a prestigious national team trophy to the delight of football lovers across the globe.
"We are very much looking forward to explore new opportunities together and we are eagerly awaiting the Finalissima in London in June 2022."
CONMEBOL president Alejandro Dominguez added: "We are immensely pleased with the fruits we are reaping together with UEFA, due to an excellent relationship between our institutions. By signing this renewal and expansion of our Memorandum of Understanding we are laying the foundation for this fluent cooperation to grow and develop further.
"The final between Argentina and Italy on June 1, 2022 in London, will be joined by other top-level sporting events, as befits the tradition of South American and European football. The opening of our joint office will allow us to face new projects with agility and vigour for the benefit of millions of fans on our continents and in the rest of the world."
Italy have faced Argentina on 15 previous occasions across all competitions, though the Azzurri have suffered defeat in each of their last four meetings, including their most recent clash in March 2018 which saw La Albiceleste win 2-0 in an international friendly at Manchester City's Etihad Stadium.
Oliver Thomas
