Scaloni in tears after Argentina lose to Spain in 2026 World Cup final

Lionel Scaloni said on Tuesday that he is uncertain about his long‑term future as head coach of Argentina after the national team’s 2‑1 loss to Spain in the World Cup final in Doha. The defeat, which ended Argentina’s three‑year reign as world champions, saw Spain take the lead in the first half, Argentina equalise through a penalty, and a late goal from Spain’s forward seal the victory. In the post‑match press conference, Scaloni acknowledged the disappointment of the loss and added, “I need to think about what comes next for me and for the team.”

The result marks the end of a period in which Scaloni guided Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title, a Copa América win in 2021 and a runner‑up finish at the 2023 Confederations Cup. The Argentine Football Association has not issued a formal statement regarding his tenure, and no successor has been named. As the federation prepares for upcoming friendlies and the next Copa América, the decision on whether Scaloni will remain at the helm will be taken after internal discussions and an assessment of the squad’s direction.