“Scandal” threatens Argentina’s participation in the 2026 World Cup | sports

The defending champion, the Argentine national football team, faces the risk of missing the next edition of the 2026 World Cup finals, after the scandal that struck the country’s football federation.

Argentine police raided the headquarters of the Argentine Football Association in the capital, Buenos Aires, last Tuesday, as part of an investigation into suspected money laundering operations.

This crisis has gone beyond football, as the Argentine judiciary is currently seeking to find out whether there is illicit enrichment and the use of sham facades by federation president Claudio Tapia.

A threat to Argentina’s participation in the 2026 World Cup

At the same time, FIFA is closely monitoring the situation to avoid any potential political interference that would lead to the exclusion of the Argentine national team from the 2026 World Cup, according to what the local newspaper La Nacion reported.

For its part, the Spanish newspaper “Marca” reported that the Argentine national team is in a state of anticipation and caution due to this crisis, adding that “Tango” coach Lionel Scaloni has become hesitant about playing the European Latin Super Cup “Vinalissima” match against Spain, which is expected to be held in late March of next year.

The newspaper sees this as a clear reference to the “charged climate” currently surrounding the Argentine Football Association.

It is noteworthy that Judge Daniel Raviecas ordered new raids to be carried out in a residential complex in Pilar, a district of Buenos Aires, where an investigation is underway into the ownership of a luxury property registered in the name of Real Central LLC linked to two people, Luciano Pantano and Ana Lucia Conte, who are suspected of being front faces for Tapia.

Judge Rafikas imposed on the two aforementioned individuals a ban on leaving the country pending investigation.

This operation comes to complete a series of raids carried out in more than 15 clubs, in addition to an office located in the center of the capital, as part of the case that aims to clarify the significant increase in the wealth of Tapia and his surroundings.

The investigation also includes Treasurer Pablo Tuvigino, who is accused of providing loans to clubs on unfair terms.

It is noteworthy that the draw, which was drawn on December 5 in Washington, placed the Argentine team in the tenth group alongside the teams of Algeria, Austria and Jordan.