Lionel Scaloni extends Argentina contract through 2030 and will remain in charge for next World Cup cycle
Lionel Scaloni renewed his contract as Argentina head coach through 2030 in Buenos Aires on November 12, 2026, placing him on course to become the first manager to lead the national team at three World Cups. He announced the extension at a news conference, saying, “After giving it some thought and discussing it with my coaching staff and those close to me, we decided that continuing is the best path forward,” and adding, “We reached an agreement very quickly.”
Scaloni, 48, guided Argentina to the World Cup title in 2022 and to a runner-up finish this year after losing the final to Spain, and his previous contract was due to expire in December. He has also won the Copa América in 2021 and 2024, and initially took charge on an interim basis in 2018. Lionel Messi has retired from the national team since the World Cup final loss to Spain.
Speaking at the news conference, Scaloni acknowledged the public response to his decision: “I am grateful for all the expressions of affection,” he said, visibly moved, and added, “A huge part of the decision to continue was, without a doubt, the fans. I want to keep bringing them the joy they feel when watching the national team, and I hope that continues.”
Argentine Football Association president Claudio Tapia issued the official announcement and commented on the agreement, saying, “This is the best outcome for Argentine football; it's something everyone wanted — something we all wanted.” Scaloni described his personal motivation in simple terms: “I have the same drive I had on the very first day — the same enthusiasm — and I'm happy to be able to continue.”
Scaloni said his remit will include managing a generational transition following Messi's international retirement and the expected exit of several veteran players due to age. “An important phase in our process begins now; we will give opportunities to the youngsters who are pushing through the ranks,” Scaloni stated, adding, “We need patience — they have enormous potential, but perhaps they aren't yet ready to deliver what the likes of Messi, Ángel Di María, and Nicolás Otamendi provided.”
He named a group of younger players who will be given more prominent roles — midfielders Nicolás Paz, Franco Mastantuono and Valentín Barco, and forwards Matías Soulé and Gianluca Prestianni — and stressed public support for their development: “These young players need everyone's understanding,” Scaloni said.
Scaloni confirmed that no player will wear Messi's No. 10 shirt during Argentina's upcoming friendlies against Uruguay and Costa Rica, the team's first fixtures since Messi's official retirement, and outlined the federation's approach to the number: “We haven't decided who to give it to, and we won't until it becomes mandatory. When it does, we'll see who gets it,” he said. “When we finally decide, we hope it's for good — we don't want to keep passing the No. 10 around to different players. When we do assign it, we hope it goes to a player who can truly make it his own.”
Argentina's next confirmed fixtures are the friendlies against Uruguay and Costa Rica, which will provide Scaloni an early opportunity to introduce the younger players he named and to proceed with the squad transition under his new contract through 2030.