Buenos Aires, Nov 13:
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has renewed his contract with the national team until July 2030, positioning himself to become the first manager in history to lead La Albiceleste at three FIFA World Cup tournaments.
Announced by Argentine Football Association (AFA) president Claudio Tapia on Thursday, the new agreement extends Scaloniâs tenure beyond his previous contractâwhich was due to expire in December 2026âand covers his coaching staff for the 2027â30 cycle. The renewal puts an end to speculation over his future following Argentinaâs 1-0 loss to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final in July. “After giving it some thought and discussing it with my coaching staff and those close to me, we decided that continuing is the best path forward,” Scaloni told reporters, adding that he remains as enthusiastic as he was on his first day in charge.
Having taken over in September 2018, Scaloni guided Argentina to the 2021 and 2024 Copa AmĂ©rica titles, the 2022 Finalissima, and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, ending a 36-year title drought. Leading Argentina at the 2030 edition will see him surpass the two-tournament World Cup stints of CĂ©sar Luis Menotti and Carlos Bilardo, as the squad begins a post-Lionel Messi transition starting with this month’s friendlies against Uruguay and Costa Rica.