New embarrassment from Chiqui Tapia: AFA collected payment for a friendly with India that was never played and complicates the national team's planning in the run-up to the World Cup
AFA charged for a friendly match that was never played
Argentina's football governing body received a multimillion amount for a match that was not played and now seeks to fulfill the contract without altering the Albiceleste's preparation
Just over four months before the start of the 2026 World Cup, the sporting planning of the Argentina National Team is going through unexpected tension. A commercial commitment is threatening to alter the roadmap designed by Lionel Scaloni and his coaching staff.
The conflict revolves around a friendly match agreed in the Indian state of Kerala that was never played, but for which the Argentine Football Association (AFA) has already collected 14.5 million dollars. The money came in through the company TourProdEnter LLC, linked to businessman Javier Faroni, who is under investigation for alleged embezzlement of millions in funds from the governing body of Argentine soccer.
La AFA cobró 14.5 millones por el amisotoso que no se jugó
The match was originally scheduled for October 2025 and was later rescheduled for November of that same year, but on both occasions AFA canceled the trip, alleging supposed FIFA regulatory obstacles. The agreement, signed by executives from the marketing and international relations departments of the entity presided over by the mobster Claudio "Chiqui" Tapia, was left on hold and doesn't have a confirmed date today, which has caused discomfort and pressure from local authorities and sponsors.
The problem is that the National Team's international calendar is practically full. In March 2026 it will play the Finalissima against Spain and then a friendly against Qatar at Lusail Stadium. In the June window, prior to the World Cup, Scaloni intended to play warm-up matches against Mexico and Honduras and then settle permanently in United States, but in the end these will not take place.
With this scenario, a possibility that makes the Albiceleste coaching staff uncomfortable emerges: traveling to India to fulfill the contract and avoid a legal dispute or the return of the money. The option would make it possible to close the commercial front, but it would entail significant wear and tear for the players, who would have to face a long intercontinental trip just days before the start of the World Cup.
El posible amistoso con India podría complicar los planes de Scaloni
The National Team's possible visit runs counter to Scaloni's idea of rest, acclimatization, and preparation in order to arrive at the World Cup in the best possible condition.
Thus, a poorly solved negotiation by the leadership once again calls the sporting planning into question. While AFA is looking for a way out to fulfill a multimillion-dollar contract, the coaching staff is watching with concern as commercial commitments threaten to alter the path toward defending the world title.
