Lionel Scaloni will remain head coach of the Argentina national football team through the 2030 FIFA World Cup, the Argentine Football Association announced on Thursday.
Claudio Tapia, president of the Argentine Football Association, confirmed the extension during a press conference alongside the coach, noting that Scaloni is set to become the manager with the most World Cup tournaments directed for the country.
“Es un día muy especial para toda la familia del fútbol argentino, vamos a anunciar oficialmente la continuidad de Lionel Scaloni al frente del cuerpo técnico de la selección argentina,” Tapia said during the announcement.
#SelecciónMayor La historia continúa… pic.twitter.com/Wv4oCKpCuU
The decision secures stability for the Albiceleste through the tournament hosted across Spain, Morocco, and Portugal. Scaloni previously led Argentina to victory at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and secured continental titles at the Copa América in 2021 and 2024, alongside a Finalissima triumph in 2022.
Scaloni took charge of the national team in August 2018 following the World Cup in Russia, ending a 25-year trophy drought for the federation before accumulating four major titles across 107 matches.
Scaloni’s mother, Eulalia Marzetti, passed away just two weeks prior to the announcement.
“Estoy feliz, a pesar de que no son momentos fáciles en lo familiar, esto me llena,” Scaloni said during the press appearance, speaking with visible emotion.
Following Argentina’s defeat in a subsequent major tournament final, Scaloni had initially contemplated stepping down from his role. That period of transition in New York ultimately served to renew his focus for the upcoming cycle.
“Es lo que queríamos todos desde un primer momento y estamos con la misma ilusión desde el primer día, de lo contrario es imposible estar aquí, con la energía que requiere,” Scaloni added.
The newly extended cycle presents a distinct tactical challenge for the coaching staff as the national team prepares to compete without longtime captain Lionel Messi. The federation’s leadership emphasized that the upcoming qualification matches and tournament preparations will center on building a competitive squad for the 2030 tournament cycle without their historic forward.
Scaloni and his coaching staff will oversee their next fixtures as preparations for the 2030 tournament continue under the confirmed agreement.
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