The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation has opened a preliminary investigation into the Argentine Football Association (AFA) over allegations of money laundering, wire fraud and tax evasion, casting a shadow over the country’s title defence at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
According to an investigative report by Argentine newspaper La Nación, federal prosecutors from Washington D.C. and Miami are examining how hundreds of millions of dollars from the AFA’s commercial and sponsorship deals were moved through the American financial system.
Investigators are gathering testimonies to determine whether the transactions were used to conceal illicit funds or evade taxes.
At the centre of the probe is a commercial agency, TourProdEnter LLC, which allegedly funnelled at least $260m through five American banks on behalf of the AFA.
Confidential banking records reportedly show that at least $42m of that income passed through Florida-based shell companies with no employees or declared commercial activities.
Investigators are also looking at financial links between those transactions and a company connected to AFA Treasurer Pablo Toviggino, which is separately under scrutiny over a $17 million property purchase.
AFA President Claudio Tapia and Toviggino were formally charged by an Argentine federal judge in a $13m tax evasion case earlier this year, with their assets temporarily frozen.
The FBI probe follows domestic raids in December 2025 in which Argentine authorities searched AFA headquarters and 17 professional football clubs as part of a separate money laundering investigation.
The AFA has denied all wrongdoing, describing the reports as “biased and unsubstantiated.”
No criminal charges have been filed by US authorities.
Argentina’s participation at the World Cup has not been affected, with Lionel Messi’s side preparing for a quarterfinal clash as the off-pitch controversy deepens.
(The Whistler)