Argentina confirm friendlies as Scaloni future and bonus row cloud preparations
Argentina have confirmed friendlies against Burkina Faso, Bolivia and Benin, but the announcement comes amid major uncertainty surrounding the national team’s leadership, squad selection and unpaid player bonuses.
Key takeaways
- The Argentine Football Association has finalised three upcoming opponents after weeks of administrative delay.
- AFA president Claudio Tapia is defending himself against money-laundering allegations.
- World Cup payments promised to Argentina’s players are still outstanding.
- Lionel Scaloni is not expected to renew a deal that runs until December 2026.
- Lionel Messi has retired from international football and is yet to agree to plans for his proposed farewell.
Scaloni faces selection problem for next camp
Argentina’s preparations for the next international window have been overshadowed by growing reluctance among senior players to make the trip for games against lower-profile opposition.
Scaloni could respond by leaving out several established names and opening the door for fringe members of the squad. The coach is dealing with a frustrated group at a time when the federation is attempting to stabilise its off-field operations.
The strain has been intensified by the failure to settle World Cup bonus payments. Players who helped deliver Argentina’s recent run of trophies are unhappy that money promised for their achievements has not yet arrived, creating tension with the AFA hierarchy.
Messi’s situation adds another unresolved issue. The former Barcelona forward has already stepped away from international duty, while the federation continues to work on a major send-off. However, he has not been persuaded by the farewell options presented so far.
End in sight for Argentina’s coaching era
Scaloni’s current contract expires in December 2026 and he is understood to have decided against extending it. His departure would close an extraordinary spell in charge, during which Argentina won the 2022 World Cup, secured successive Copa América crowns and reached this summer’s World Cup final.
Several members of his long-standing staff share that outlook. Walter Samuel, the former Inter and Roma defender and a key figure on Scaloni’s coaching team, is among those expected to leave when the manager’s tenure ends.
The coaching uncertainty sits alongside serious problems at federation level. Tapia’s legal fight over money-laundering accusations has placed further pressure on the AFA, with the effects now being felt around the senior national side as it heads towards its newly confirmed fixtures.
