The Argentine Football Association (AFA) maintains the continuity of Lionel Scaloni as head of the national team as a top priority. This was made clear by its president, Claudio Tapia, who assured that all the federation’s plans involve renewing the contract of the world champion coach.
Scaloni’s future was in doubt after the 1-0 defeat against Spain in the 2026 World Cup final, played on July 19 in East Rutherford. After the meeting, the 48-year-old coach confessed that his intention was to “stop a little” when his relationship with the Albiceleste ended in December.
However, Tapia reiterated that the AFA wants to keep the coach in office and revealed that negotiations for a renewal were very advanced before the strategist expressed his doubts.
“My plan A, my plan B and my plan C is Scaloni,” said the leader in an interview with TyC Sports. “I want him to continue, we all want him to continue, but we must also respect the decision that he considers correct,” he added.
Since taking over the Argentine bench in 2018, Scaloni has built one of the most successful stages in the history of the national team. Under his direction, Argentina won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the 2021 and 2024 Copa América, as well as the 2022 Finalissima.
The only grand final that they could not win was the 2026 World Cup in North America, in which the Albiceleste lost in extra time against Spain. That tournament also probably marked Lionel Messi’s last World Cup participation.
Tapia stressed that he does not intend to pressure the coach and stressed that the decision will depend exclusively on him. “I can’t keep Gringo chained if he feels that he no longer has the necessary desire or that he is looking for a new challenge,” he explained.
Even so, the president of the AFA recognized that an eventual departure of Scaloni would open a huge question mark for the future of the Argentine team. “After the Scaloneta, who?” he concluded, reflecting the leadership’s desire to prolong the coach’s successful cycle at the helm of the Albiceleste.
