Argentina, the reigning world champion, is preparing to defend its crown at the 2026 World Cup. On paper, the Albiceleste seems to have inherited an affordable Group J, with Algeria, Austria and Jordan. But a legal storm could well disrupt the plans of Lionel Messi and his teammates.
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) is indeed shaken by an unprecedented federal investigation targeting its president, Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia, accused of illicit enrichment and use of nominees. These revelations, published by The Nationcaused a real earthquake in Argentine football.
Exclusion from the World Cup announced
The judges ordered dozens of searches, notably in the Villa Rosa de Pilar, where 52 luxury and collector’s vehicles (sports cars, 4x4s and motorcycles) were found, linked to a shell company presumed to belong to Tapia. The affair would have placed Fifa in a state of maximum vigilance, the international body fearing any political intervention in the management of the AFA.
The risk for the national team is real. Government interference could lead to severe sanctions, or even the exclusion of Argentina from the 2026 World Cup, the media reports. The situation is all the more tense as participation in the Finalissima against Spain, scheduled for March, is itself uncertain.
