Argentina's World Cup title defense clouded by turmoil in domestic soccer scene

BUENOS AIRES (AP) — After Argentina won the World Cup in Qatar 2022 , the president of the Argentine Football Association carried a replica of the trophy at every public appearance. He received standing ovations. Claudio Tapia had reason to consider himself part of the sporting achievement.

The AFA leader took a chance on the inexperienced Lionel Scaloni as the national team's coach, a move many say helped Argentina win its first World Cup title in 36 years. Now, as La Albiceleste prepares to defend its title in June-July, Tapia finds himself at the center of a crisis that has shaken the country's soccer landscape. The public mood has turned against him and AFA due to corruption investigations, unpopular changes to the domestic soccer league and a string of World Cup warmups against low-ranking opponents.

Meanwhile, Tapia, 58, has been locked in a power struggle with Argentine President Javier Milei over the ownership structure of the country's soccer clubs. In late March, Tapia was charged with tax evasion following a complaint filed by Milei’s government. Hours later the soccer federation boss was booed while receiving a plaque on the field before Argentina’s friendly match against Mauritania in Buenos Aires.

National team players, including team captain and soccer icon Lionel Messi, have tried to stay away from the conflict as they prepare for the World Cup. “Let it be clear that we are football players, we came here to play football,” midfielder Rodrigo De Paul said last month after a friendly match against Zambia. “We don’t get involved in politics, we don’t understand those kinds of things.