Scaloni Agrees to Stay as Argentina Coach Through 2031

Argentina’s Lionel Scaloni has reportedly agreed verbally to extend his role as head coach until 2031, solidifying his long-term leadership of the national team. This development comes as Argentina prepares for their 2026 World Cup knockout match against Cape Verde in Miami.

The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has expressed a clear desire for Scaloni to remain in charge for an extended period. Prior to the team’s arrival in the United States for the tournament, several meetings occurred between Scaloni’s representatives and AFA officials. These discussions culminated in a verbal agreement that would keep Scaloni as the national team’s manager through the next World Cup cycle.

Journalist Diego Monroig, speaking on ESPN Mundial, detailed the situation: “Until they landed in the United States, there were meetings between Scaloni's representation and AFA. The AFA's position is that Scaloni should stay for life. I investigated, gathered information, and I am in a position to state now that the Argentine National Team and Scaloni landed at the World Cup with a verbal agreement between the coach and the AFA for Scaloni to continue as coach until 2031.”

Despite this significant agreement, Scaloni has requested that discussions about his contract extension be paused until after the World Cup to avoid distractions. His priority remains the team’s performance and focus on defending their title during the tournament.

Monroig added, “Now the coach wants to be focused on the competition, he does not want anything at all to be said about his continuity. But after the World Cup they will have contact again regarding that verbal agreement that excites and leaves the AFA at peace.”

Since assuming the head coach role in 2018, Scaloni has had a transformative impact on Argentine football. His upcoming match in the round of 32 will mark his 100th game leading the national team. His record so far includes 72 wins, 18 draws, and nine losses in 99 matches.

Under Scaloni’s leadership, Argentina has ended a long period without major titles. The team won the Copa America in 2021 and 2024, the 2022 Finalissima, and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. His management has balanced integrating new talent with overseeing established stars such as Lionel Messi, making him the most successful coach in Argentina’s recent history.

The proposed contract extension through 2031 gains additional significance considering the unique format of the 2030 World Cup. The tournament will open with matches hosted in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay to celebrate its centenary, before moving primarily to Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. For now, Argentina’s immediate focus is on their knockout match against Cape Verde in Miami. After a flawless group stage that included wins over Algeria, Austria, and Jordan, Argentina is positioned as a strong contender. Should they advance, their next opponent could be either Australia or Egypt.