Argentina’s top soccer officials firmly denied reports that their federation’s president and treasurer were detained and questioned upon leaving the USA after the World Cup final. The Federación Argentina de Fútbol (AFA) did acknowledge a U.S. investigation into a third party with links to the association. The AFA, headed by soccer heavyweight Tapia since 2017, is the subject of several investigations in Argentina.
argentina
Posted inSoccer America Daily
Arrogance or pride? Argentina grapples with World Cup villain label
Critics blasted Argentina for dirty tactics and poor sportsmanship during their 1-0 loss to Spain, cementing the country’s status as World Cup villain that grew throughout the tournament. But Argentines argue they are just passionate and misunderstood. “I think we deserve some credit for not being very well-liked, because of this tendency to be arrogant […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily
“The pain is immense,” says Messi of World Cup defeat
Lionel Messi said on Monday that after Argentina’s World Cup final loss “the pain is immense and it’s going to take a long time for this wound to heal.” “I’ll also hold on to all the good memories,” Messi wrote in Spanish on Instagram, alongside a photo of himself wearing his loser’s medal following the […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential
Spain: A champion befitting an extraordinary World Cup
The patient and polite usher kept asking the Spain fan not to stand on his seat while playing the trumpet. “The seat will break!” At the first-half hydration break — with the 2026 World Cup final scoreless — the seat-standing dispute took the form of a comical one-sided negotiation. “Pago, Pago!” said the trumpeter, indicating […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily
Messi denied dream farewell as abject Argentina lose World Cup final
Lionel Messi could have ended all debate over who is the greatest player of all time by winning another World Cup with Argentina on Sunday, but he was left in tears following Spain’s 1-0 win. Messi, now 39, dragged the holders to another final, scoring eight goals and also providing two assists in the dramatic […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily
REACTION: ‘The defining team of the 21st century’
Global media reaction, including from Argentiina, agreed that Spain the deserved winner of the 2026 World Cup.
Posted inSoccer America Daily
Spain deserved to win World Cup: Argentina’s Scaloni
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni admitted Spain were the better team following his team’s 1-0 extra-time defeat in the 2026 World Cup final on Sunday. Substitute Ferran Torres scored in the second period of extra-time as Spain finally broke down 10-man Argentina to win 1-0 at the MetLife Stadium. The South American champions, led by Lionel […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily
‘The last of Messi’: Argentines mourn loss and end of an era
Nervous excitement and rowdy cheers turned into anguished groans, nailbiting tension and tears, as Argentines’ hope of yet another epic comeback led by Lionel Messi in the World Cup fizzled out against Spain. At the Cafe Relax bar in the historic center of Buenos Aires, fans with tears in their eyes after the final whistle […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily
Spain win World Cup after Messi’s Argentina fall flat
Spain won their second World Cup on Sunday, collecting the trophy from US President Donald Trump after Ferran Torres’ extra-time strike broke the stubborn resistance of Lionel Messi’s Argentina. More than 80,000 people crammed into the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, to witness a tense, tight final punctuated by cynical Argentine fouls that […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential
The World Cup final hits the most international stage on earth
Mayor Mamdani’s description of New York City as “the most international city on earth” is a viable claim. But Jeffrey Lahullier is the mayor of the town that’s literally hosting the 2026 World Cup final.