Messi and Salah Headline Qatar's March Football Festival

Football fans are getting an unexpected treat just months before the 2026 World Cup: a chance to watch Lionel Messi, Mohamed Salah, and Lamine Yamal compete in Qatar this spring.

Qatar announced the Qatar Football Festival 2026, a six-match international showcase running from March 26-31. The headline event features the men's Finalissima, where European champions Spain will face South American champions Argentina at Lusail Stadium on March 27.

The timing makes this festival special. Because the matches fall within FIFA's official international window, all participating teams must field their senior squads with first-team players.

That means fans won't see reserve lineups or training squads. Argentina will bring Messi, Egypt will feature Liverpool star Mohamed Salah, and Spain is expected to include teenage sensation Lamine Yamal.

The festival includes six matches total across Qatar's World Cup stadiums. Alongside the Argentina-Spain clash, international friendlies will feature Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Serbia competing throughout the week.

Qatar will close out the festival by hosting Argentina at Lusail Stadium on March 31, giving local fans a second chance to see the world champions in action.

Why This Inspires

This festival shows how major sporting events can create lasting benefits beyond their original purpose. Qatar built world-class stadiums for the 2022 World Cup, and now those venues are hosting elite international football that brings global stars to fans who might never see them otherwise.

The event also gives national teams valuable preparation time before the 2026 World Cup. Playing high-level international friendlies helps squads build chemistry and test strategies against top competition.

For football lovers, it's a rare opportunity to see multiple world-class teams in one location during a single week. International fans can purchase travel packages starting February 1, with tickets going on sale February 25.

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, chairman of the Local Organising Committee for Football Events, said the festival reflects Qatar's commitment to delivering world-class experiences and strengthening its partnership with the global football community.

The festival proves that great infrastructure combined with smart planning can keep bringing people together long after the final whistle blows.