The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has formally offered Lionel Scaloni a new contract that would keep him in charge of the national team through the 2028 Copa América, with an option to extend the agreement through the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
The proposal comes as Scaloni’s current contract approaches its December 2026 expiry date and follows weeks of uncertainty over whether the 48-year-old coach would continue after the 2026 World Cup. Reports from Argentina indicate that negotiations have progressed, although Scaloni has yet to give a definitive response.
AFA proposes a “2+2” contract structure
Rather than immediately committing Scaloni to another full World Cup cycle, the federation has reportedly put forward a two-year agreement running until the 2028 Copa América.
The proposed deal would then include an option for another two years, taking Scaloni through the 2030 World Cup.
The structure is intended to give both sides flexibility. AFA would retain continuity through the next Copa América, while Scaloni would have the opportunity to decide later whether he wants to remain through another World Cup cycle. Argentine outlet Infobae reported that the proposal is one of the alternatives being used to bridge the gap between the federation's desire for continuity and the coach's uncertainty about committing to another long-term cycle.
The Buenos Aires Times similarly reported that negotiations had advanced around a “2+2” structure, with the initial period lasting until the 2028 Copa América and a further extension linked to the 2030 World Cup.
Scaloni has not made a final decision
Despite the progress in negotiations, the deal has not yet been signed.
Reports indicate that AFA is waiting for Scaloni's final decision, with financial details and other elements of the agreement still being discussed.
Goal reported that the federation has formally submitted the proposal and is awaiting Scaloni's response while representatives for the coach continue negotiations.
The uncertainty began after Argentina's 2026 World Cup campaign. Scaloni had previously suggested that he would consider his future after the tournament, with his existing contract already scheduled to expire at the end of the year.
The coach has since returned to work with Argentina and has begun preparing for the team's next international fixtures, giving further indication that discussions over his future are active rather than dormant.
Argentina players want Scaloni to remain
Scaloni also appears to have strong support within the Argentina dressing room.
Players have publicly expressed their hope that the coach continues in charge. Cristian Romero said the squad wants Scaloni to stay, while Nicolás Paz and Leonardo Balerdi also spoke positively about his continued leadership.
Emiliano Martínez, meanwhile, said the final decision belongs to Scaloni and his coaching staff but that the players would support whatever decision he makes.
That support comes as Argentina prepares for a significant transition period.
The national team is moving into a new phase following the 2026 World Cup, with Lionel Messi's international career approaching its conclusion and several experienced players also facing questions over their future with the national side.
Scaloni already planning for Argentina's next generation
The coach's latest squad selection also suggests that Argentina is beginning to prepare for the next stage of its national-team project.
Several younger players have been included in the squad for the upcoming international window, including Franco Mastantuono, Gianluca Prestianni, Agustín Giay, Matías Soulé and Equi Fernández.
Infobae noted that a number of players who were involved in the wider World Cup selection process but did not ultimately make the final squad have now been brought back into the picture, alongside several new faces.
The changes are particularly significant because Argentina is entering a post-Messi transition. The federation therefore sees continuity in the coaching structure as an important part of managing the next generation.
Messi farewell adds significance to next international window
Argentina's upcoming fixtures will also carry considerable emotional significance.
The team is scheduled to face Bolivia on September 30, Burkina Faso on October 3 and Benin on October 6.
The Benin match is expected to serve as a farewell for Messi and Nicolás Otamendi, who have been included specifically for that fixture.
Scaloni's presence during this period gives the federation another reason to seek clarity over his future.
If he accepts the proposal, he would remain in charge as Argentina begins rebuilding around younger players while managing the departure of several veterans.
A successful era could continue
Scaloni took charge of Argentina in 2018 and has overseen one of the most successful periods in the country's recent international history.
Under his leadership, Argentina won the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 Finalissima, the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2024 Copa América. The team also reached the 2026 World Cup final, according to reports on the current negotiations.
The AFA's latest proposal therefore represents an attempt to maintain the coaching structure that has guided Argentina through a period of major international success.
For now, however, the decision remains with Scaloni.
The federation has put forward a deal that would guarantee his presence through the 2028 Copa América and potentially extend his tenure through the 2030 World Cup. Scaloni must now decide whether he wants to continue leading Argentina into another major international cycle.
