Argentina’s football establishment is facing one of the most serious crises in its modern history, a legal and financial scandal that could ultimately threaten the national team’s participation in the 2026 World Cup.

According to Argentina’s La Nación newspaper, Argentine judicial authorities have dramatically intensified their investigation into alleged financial corruption inside the Argentine Football Association (AFA), carrying out raids on official headquarters in search of documents linked to suspected illicit transactions.

In a major development, investigators recently searched a luxury property believed to be owned by AFA president Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia, in coordination with Pablo Toviggino, the federation’s treasurer. Authorities reportedly seized a fleet of luxury vehicles, 45 cars and seven motorcycles, valued at more than €500,000. The assets are registered under a company owned by Luciano Pantano, an AFA official, and his retired mother, entities prosecutors say lack the financial means to legally acquire such high-value property.

La Nación describes the investigation as unprecedented in both scale and impact. Over the past several days, raids have expanded to more than 15 football clubs, as well as key offices in central Buenos Aires.

Among the targeted locations were AFA and Superliga headquarters, along with top-flight clubs including Racing, Independiente, San Lorenzo, Argentinos Juniors, Banfield, Platense, and Barracas Central, in addition to several lower-division teams.

The judicial escalation comes at a sensitive moment for Argentine football, as uncertainty grows around the highly anticipated Finalissima, the showdown between Argentina, reigning World Cup and Copa América champions, and Spain, holders of the European Championship. The match now faces possible postponement or cancellation as investigations continue.

Meanwhile, FIFA is closely monitoring developments. According to La Nación, the governing body is preparing potential intervention scenarios that could include severe sanctions, up to and including Argentina’s exclusion from the 2026 World Cup, should serious governance violations be confirmed.

For a nation that lifted the trophy in Qatar just three years ago, the stakes could not be higher. Argentina’s place on football’s biggest stage now hangs not only on performance, but on the outcome of a far-reaching judicial reckoning.