Scaloni weighs Argentina future after World Cup final defeat

Lionel Scaloni left his future as Argentina coach unclear after the defending champions lost the 2026 World Cup final to Spain. Reuters reported that Scaloni, tearful after the 1-0 defeat, said he would speak with the Argentine federation president and take time to think before deciding what comes next.

Argentina fell short of becoming the first team since Brazil in 1958 and 1962 to win consecutive World Cups. Reuters reported that Spain controlled much of the final in possession and shots before Ferran Torres scored the winner in the 106th minute.

Scaloni’s contract runs until December. If he leaves then, Reuters reported, he would do so as the most decorated manager in Argentina’s history, having led the national team to the 2022 World Cup title and Copa America victories in 2021 and 2024.

Speaking through an interpreter, Scaloni said he would talk with the federation president and already had a sense of what he wanted to do. He said he would see out his contract but needed time to consider whether a team could again reach the level Argentina had achieved under him.

Scaloni thanked the federation president for giving him the job and said the post had been a dream position. He said the staff and players had tried until the final minute to give everything, and that he felt it was fair to take time for himself before making a decision.

Reuters reported that Scaloni became only the second Argentine coach to reach back-to-back World Cup finals, after Carlos Bilardo, who won the 1986 title and reached the 1990 final. Scaloni is also only the fifth coach of any nationality to guide a team to consecutive World Cup finals.

Any decision to continue would likely come with changes to the squad. Reuters reported that Lionel Messi is now 39, and although he finished the tournament with eight goals and four assists, his involvement in the 2030 World Cup appears highly unlikely.

Eight Argentina players started both the 2022 and 2026 World Cup finals, according to Reuters. The report said the team is likely to see significant turnover beyond Messi after a long cycle under Scaloni.

Scaloni said he and his staff had not imagined reaching this position. Through tears, he said continuing would require a mental reset and that building another group like the current one would be very difficult. Reuters reported that he then ended his news conference and left to applause from reporters.

Scaloni said he had no complaint about the result. He said Spain deserved to win, while adding that Argentina had come close and that he was grateful to the players, staff and supporters who helped the team reach another World Cup final.

Scaloni took over Argentina after the team exited the 2018 World Cup in the round of 16. Reuters reported that his appointment was initially met with doubt because he had limited head-coaching experience and had only spent a short period as an assistant.

Before coaching, Scaloni played for Newell’s Old Boys and spent two decades as a right-sided midfielder and defender in Argentina, Spain, Italy and briefly England. Reuters reported that he made seven senior appearances for Argentina, including a start in the 2-1 win over Mexico in the 2006 World Cup round of 16.

This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.