Argentina's position as reigning FIFA World Cup champions is overshadowed by an escalating corruption scandal within the Argentine Football Association (AFA). A federal inquiry launched in December 2025 has targeted AFA President Claudio Tapia and his chief adviser and treasurer, Pablo Toviggino, alongside other figures like Luciano Nakis and Ariel Vallejo. The investigation stems from allegations of money laundering, illegal financial activities, and misappropriation of funds. Authorities have conducted raids at the AFA headquarters and multiple football clubs, seizing lavish assets including a vast ranch, luxury cars, and motorcycles allegedly owned by the implicated officials. Further compounding the crisis, blockchain-based fan engagement platform Socios.com, a significant AFA sponsor since 2020, has halted its sponsorship payments. Socios.com CEO Alexandre Dreyfus publicly demanded a full audit of AFA's finances and called for Tapia's resignation, claiming that only a fraction of the $9 million in sponsorship fees paid since 2021 had reached the AFA directly, with the majority allegedly diverted through offshore intermediary companies. This action has prompted calls for other AFA commercial partners, such as Adidas and Coca-Cola, to follow suit, emphasizing the need for transparency and integrity in football. The scandal has also revealed a deep-seated political dimension, with President Javier Milei's government clashing with the AFA over the potential privatization of football clubs. While the AFA maintains that the allegations are media defamation and a form of political persecution, the deepening investigation has drawn comparisons to the 2015 FIFA Gate scandal. Although some reports suggest the uproar is unlikely to directly affect Lionel Messi and the national team's on-field performance or their qualification for the 2026 World Cup, the possibility of severe FIFA sanctions, including potential disqualification if government interference in the federation's activities is confirmed, continues to cast a significant cloud over Argentina's title defense.