The future of Lionel Scaloni as the head coach of the Argentina national team is uncertain following a heartbreaking defeat in the 2026 World Cup final. Despite this ambiguity, Argentina Football Association (AFA) president Claudio Tapia has expressed unwavering support for Scaloni, emphasizing that he remains the only option for the role.

Tapia's Commitment to Scaloni

In light of the speculation surrounding Scaloni's future, Tapia has made it clear that there are no plans to seek a new manager. The AFA president stated that Scaloni, who guided Argentina to victory in the 2022 World Cup, is still the right man for the job. In an interview with TyC Sport, Tapia remarked, "Without a doubt, I want him to stay, we all want him to stay." He acknowledged that discussions with Scaloni have been ongoing and that the coach needs time to consider his next steps.

Tapia further emphasized the importance of respecting Scaloni's decision-making process, saying, "I can’t keep the Scaloni chained up if he feels he doesn’t have the desire or doesn’t have a better projection." He reiterated that there is no backup plan in place, asserting, "No, my Plan A, B, and C is Scaloni."

Scaloni's Emotional Response

The emotional toll of the recent World Cup final, where Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain, has contributed to Scaloni's uncertainty. He struggled to complete his post-match press conference, visibly affected as he reflected on the end of a significant chapter. "In order to continue, you need a great deal of things. That is very difficult to recreate again," he shared. Scaloni indicated that he would take the necessary time to contemplate his future, stating, "I feel the need to think. I don’t know if something this big can be done [again]."

The Need for a Squad Overhaul

Another factor weighing on Scaloni's decision is the need for a potential overhaul of the squad. The 2026 team, featuring veteran players like 39-year-old Lionel Messi, was one of the oldest in the tournament. This situation presents a challenge for Scaloni as he considers the future direction of the team.

As the AFA navigates this pivotal moment, the focus remains on Scaloni, with Tapia firmly backing him as the leader of the national team. The coming weeks will be crucial as both the coach and the federation assess the path forward.