Scaloni agrees to stay until 2031
Lionel Scaloni, the head coach who led Argentina to victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, has reportedly reached a verbal agreement with the Argentine Football Association (AFA) to extend his tenure until 2031. The news was reported by Goal.com, citing journalist Diego Monroig on ESPN Mundial.
According to the report, discussions between Scaloni's representatives and AFA officials took place before the 2026 World Cup in the United States. The AFA has expressed a strong desire for Scaloni to remain as national team coach for the long term. Monroig stated, "The AFA's position is that Scaloni should stay for life. I investigated, gathered information, and I am in a position to state now that the Argentine National Team and Scaloni landed at the World Cup with a verbal agreement between the coach and the AFA for Scaloni to continue as coach until 2031."
Focus on World Cup campaign
Despite the verbal agreement, Scaloni has requested that discussions about his future be postponed until after the World Cup. He wants to maintain full focus on Argentina's campaign. Formal talks on the contract extension are expected to resume once the tournament concludes. Monroig added, "Now the coach wants to be focused on the competition, he does not want anything at all to be said about his continuity. But after the World Cup, they will have contact again regarding that verbal agreement that excites and leaves the AFA at peace."
Argentina's performance in 2026 World Cup
Under Scaloni's leadership, Argentina has performed impressively in the 2026 World Cup, winning all three group stage matches to top Group J. They are set to face Egypt in the Round of 32 on July 3 (local time) in Miami. Scaloni's contract extension, if finalized, would ensure stability for the Argentine national team through the 2030 World Cup cycle.
