اArgentina's national team, led by star Lionel Messi

Corruption Rocks Argentina's World Cup Title Defense Preparations

After Argentina's victory in the 2022 Qatar World Cup, the president of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) held up a replica of the trophy at every public appearance, receiving enthusiastic applause from fans.

Claudio Tapia had a point in being considered part of that sporting achievement. The AFA president had placed his faith in Lionel Scaloni, then a young coach, to lead the national team—a move many believe contributed to Argentina winning its first World Cup title in 36 years. Now, as Argentina prepares to defend its title at the 2026 World Cup in June and July, Tapia finds himself at the center of a crisis that has rocked the country's football scene.

Public opinion has turned against him and the AFA due to corruption investigations, unpopular changes to the league, and a series of World Cup friendlies against low-ranked teams. Meanwhile, Claudio Tapia, 58, is embroiled in a power struggle with Argentine President Javier Mille over the ownership structure of the country's football clubs.

Claudio Tapia with Messi 

In late March, Tapia was charged with tax evasion following a complaint filed by Mille's government. Hours later, the football federation president was booed while accepting a commemorative plaque on the pitch before Argentina's friendly against Mauritania in Buenos Aires.

National team players, including captain and football legend Lionel Messi, have tried to distance themselves from the conflict as they prepare for the World Cup.

"Let's make it clear that we are footballers," said midfielder Rodrigo De Paul last month after a friendly against Zambia. "We don't get involved in politics, and we don't understand these things." Tapia has frequently posted photos of himself with Messi on social media before Argentina's matches, which critics have interpreted as a sign of the growing rift between the Argentine Football Association president and the team's star player.

Messi, who played for the national team in their last friendly matches in March, left Buenos Aires without making any statements. The long-running feud between Melchior and Tapia stems from the populist president's desire to privatize Argentina's member-run football clubs, a move the Argentine Football Association (AFA) is resisting.

Late last year, tax authorities filed a lawsuit against Tapia and other AFA executives for allegedly evading 19 billion pesos ($13 million) in social security contributions between 2024 and 2025. The courts opened a criminal investigation, and in March, Tapia was formally charged and could face two to six years in prison.

The AFA denies the charges, claiming Tapia is the victim of a smear campaign. Critics also argue that the new system has weakened the league's overall quality. “The schedule is terrible,” said Osvaldo Santander, a 60-year-old San Lorenzo fan. “The teams don’t play each other in a full league throughout the year, so there’s no way for any team to truly claim to be the best.”

Tapilla still enjoys the support of the leaders of most Argentine football clubs, with the exception of River Plate and Estudiantes, who withdrew from the Argentine Football Association’s executive committee. The situation is different in the stadiums, where fans frequently hurl insults at the federation president. 

Tapia hopes the players won’t be affected by the crisis gripping Argentine football, explaining that most of them play abroad and don’t experience the daily realities of Argentine football.