Soccer Football – FIFA World Cup 2026 – Final – Spain v Argentina – New York/New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S. – July 19, 2026 Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni looks dejected after losing the World Cup final REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
EAST RUTHERFORD — Following his side’s 1-0 loss in the World Cup Final on Sunday evening at MetLife Stadium, Lionel Scaloni admitted that he has to think about his future as head coach of Argentina’s national team.
The 48-year-old’s contract expires in December, and his sobs, which ultimately cut his post-match press conference short, suggest that his time as gaffer of the South American giants is nearing an end.
“I have an idea of what I’d like to do,” Scaloni began, fighting through tears. “I will see out my contract, and I feel the need to think. I don’t know if something as big can be done. Maybe we need to speak this through.”
Scaloni is the most successful coach in Argentina’s decorated history, winning the 2022 World Cup and becoming just the eighth coach in history to reach back-to-back Finals. He also led his squad to three straight major trophies, with Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024 bookending a remarkable run in Qatar four years ago.
“This place is wonderful. It’s a dream,” he said. “I’ve never in my life would have thought… that we would be in this place. In order to continue, you need a great deal of things, especially resetting your mind, rebooting, and creating a group like this again. That is very difficult that you can create this again, and it’s really painful. I am very sorry.”
A potential exit from Scaloni could very well coincide with the end of Lionel Messi’s international career with La Albiceleste. At 39 years old, it has been widely speculated that Sunday’s loss to Spain was his final match in an Argentina shirt.
Scaloni’s 76 victories from 104 matches rank second in Argentina’s history behind Guillermo Stabile, who sits just one ahead with 77 wins, though he did so in 11 more matches.
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