Lionel Scaloni is close to committing his future to Argentina despite previous suggestions that he could leave, with the Argentine Football Association (AFA) offering him a contract that could keep him in charge through the 2030 World Cup.
According to Spanish newspaper Sport, AFA president Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia is working to extend the successful partnership with Scaloni by proposing a two-year contract, with the option of adding a further two years.
The agreement would guarantee Scaloni’s presence for Copa America 2028, while also giving him the opportunity to lead Argentina at the 2030 World Cup.
Scaloni is the most successful manager in the history of Argentina’s national team in the 21st century. He ended the country’s 28-year wait for a major international title when Argentina won the Copa America in 2021, their first since 1993. His achievements have since included two Copa America titles and a World Cup.
However, the 2026 World Cup final defeat by Spain prompted the manager to suggest he might bring his time with Argentina to an end.
“I will continue until December, after that I will speak with president Claudio Tapia,” Scaloni said at the time. “The idea is to relax and take a break. I will probably stop.”
Talks enter final stage
Argentine journalist Gaston Edul, as reported by Sport, said the AFA had formally presented Scaloni with the two-year offer, alongside the option of a two-year extension.
The newspaper says negotiations have now reached their final stage, with the two sides having moved significantly closer to an agreement in recent days.
Scaloni also indicated that discussions with Tapia had begun when he spoke at a news conference before Argentina’s match against Bolivia.
“A picture with Chiqui Tapia? We have only just started talking,” he said. “There is a mutual desire from both sides, and that is the most important thing.”
Sport interpreted those comments as a further sign that an official agreement was close.
Tapia’s proposal would allow the AFA to retain the manager who has delivered Argentina’s most successful run of the 21st century, while Scaloni would remain in charge for the next Copa America and have the option of continuing until 2030.
