Lionel Scaloni renews Argentina contract until 2030 after World Cup final loss to Spain

Renewal until 2030

The Argentine Football Association (AFA) announced on Thursday, 12 November, that Lionel Scaloni will remain coach of the senior national team until after the 2030 World Cup. The deal covers the 2027 to 2030 period, since his current contract runs only until the end of this year. Scaloni, 48, took charge in 2018 as successor to Jorge Sampaoli, and AFA president Claudio Tapia said the coach has now led the team for eight years. Scaloni had raised doubts about staying after Argentina lost the 2026 World Cup final to Spain, and the AFA said its aim had been to persuade him to continue. The 2030 tournament will be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco.

“It is a very special and important day for the life of the Argentine national team.”

Doubts after the final and Messi's exit

Scaloni's future had been in question since the defeat to Spain, which came after Lionel Messi had left the national team. Sources differ on when Messi's exit happened: El Mundo places his last match, a friendly against Benin, on 6 October, while Notícias ao Minuto says he announced his farewell in August at the age of 39. According to Notícias ao Minuto, the final ended 1-0 to Spain after extra time. El País describes the federation as in conflict with the national government and says Tapia faces judicial investigations into alleged irregularities, a backdrop to the renewal.

Scaloni explained the decision after weighing it with his coaching staff.

“After thinking it over carefully and talking with the coaching staff, we decided that the best thing is to continue.”

He said the squad would give chances to players coming through the ranks and asked for patience, arguing that they have great potential but are not yet ready to deliver what Messi, Nicolás Otamendi, Ángel Di María and others gave the team.

Staff, family and emotion

Pablo Aimar, a former River Plate and Valencia player, is part of the renewed staff, while Walter Samuel will not continue and will launch his own coaching project. El Mundo reports that Scaloni, who lives in Mallorca, had to pause in tears during the press conference and that his mother died about two weeks before the announcement. Scaloni said he was happy with the decision despite difficult family circumstances, and he described the squad's commitment as unchanged.

“We are the same as on the first day, with the same enthusiasm and the same desire as always. If not, it is impossible to be here.”

Titles and a record under Scaloni

Scaloni's cycle has produced four titles: the Copa América in 2021 and 2024, the 2022 Finalissima against European champion Italy, and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where Argentina beat France on penalties after a 3-3 draw in the final, according to Notícias ao Minuto. Argentina also reached the 2026 World Cup final, which it lost to Spain.

Since his debut in a friendly against Guatemala in September 2018, Scaloni has coached 107 matches, with 79 wins, 18 draws and 10 defeats, figures reported by La Vanguardia and SAPO.

Wins79

Draws18

Losses10

Wins

79 matches

Draws

18 matches

Losses

10 matches

Data from the article text

Next matches and the No. 10 shirt

Argentina host Uruguay on Friday, 13 November, at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires, and then play Costa Rica on Tuesday, 17 November, in Córdoba. Scaloni said no one will receive the No. 10 shirt Messi wore for the Uruguay match, and that the number will go to whoever can keep it for the rest of the cycle once a decision is made. Tapia said Scaloni will be the coach with the most World Cups led by an Argentine, three, while César Menotti and Carlos Bilardo each led two. The new cycle begins with a squad that must learn to play and win without Messi.