Overview
- The AFA announced Saturday that president Claudio Tapia and coach Lionel Scaloni held a meeting at Ezeiza and formally began negotiations to extend Scaloni's contract beyond its December 2026 expiry.
- Scaloni has said he wants to discuss several issues before deciding and has expressed a readiness to talk while noting he needs to evaluate his next steps after the 2026 World Cup final.
- Reports outline two main contract options under consideration: a deal through 2028 with a two‑year extension option or a longer term to 2030 that would include an exit clause after the Copa América.
- If Scaloni stays, changes to the technical staff are expected, with Walter Samuel likely to leave after December to pursue a head‑coach role and other assistants such as Pablo Aimar and Roberto Ayala expected to remain.
- The talks come as the team prepares three October friendlies, including Lionel Messi's farewell match, and will set the tone for player selections and the wider transition into the next World Cup cycle.