Lionel Scaloni signs contract extension with Argentina national team until 2030

The Argentine Football Association (AFA) officially announced on November 12, 2026, that head coach Lionel Scaloni has extended his contract to lead the national team through 2030. This agreement ensures that the 48-year-old manager will oversee the squad during the next World Cup, marking a historic achievement as the first Argentine coach to lead the team in three consecutive World Cup tournaments. During the announcement, a visibly emotional Scaloni expressed his deep gratitude and commitment to the role.

Scaloni, who initially took charge of the team in 2018, has established an era of success for Argentina. His tenure has resulted in four major titles, including the 2022 World Cup, the 2021 and 2024 Copa America, and the 2022 Finalissima. While AlphaNews reports that he took the position on September 7, 2018, Goal News Cy notes a start date of August 2, 2018. Recent performance includes a run to the World Cup final, where the team was defeated 1-0 by Spain in extra time. The federation emphasized that under Scaloni, consistent qualification for tournament semi-finals has become the expected standard for the national team.