Sports
FIFA Apologise to Lionel Scaloni After Bizarre 2026 World Cup Draw Incident
From Donald Trump being awarded the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize to those that tuned in having to wait around two hours for the draw to begin, the 2026 World Cup draw was certainly something. And in its aftermath, Gianni Infantino – the chief figurehead of world football’s governing body, FIFA – has been forced to apologise to Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni for a bizarre mix-up.
As is tradition, Scaloni – who helped Lionel Messi complete football by winning the 2022 edition of the international showpiece in Qatar – was asked to carry the trophy on stage during Friday’s ceremony at the Kennedy Centre in Washington D.C.
“We are going to give the maximum and try to do what we did in the last World Cup, which is to give everything we can, not to give a ball up for lost,” said Scaloni about Argentina’s chances of retaining their status as the champions of international football – but why was the 47-year-old, one of the best managers in world football, on the receiving end of an Infantino apology?
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Infantino Apologises to Argentina Manager Scaloni After World Cup Draw Mix-Up
In between sporadic jokes from comedian and host for the night, Kevin Hart, and performances from the likes of Lauryn Hill, Scaloni walked onto the stage with the World Cup trophy in his hands before placing it on a table in the middle of the stage. His role, at the time, appeared to have happened without a hitch – but Infantino was forced to apologise the following day.
That’s because Scaloni, a tidy right-back during his playing days before turning to management, was required to wear gloves to touch the trophy as organisers seemingly failed to recognise the coach who had helped guide La Albiceleste to glory four years ago.
Although he was visibly taken aback – evidenced by the above footage – by the fact that he had to wear white gloves to bring the coveted piece of silverware trophy onto the stage, the defender-turned-tactician was more than happy to fulfil his role in the draw. At an event which unveiled the match schedule for the 2026 World Cup, Infantino offered Scaloni an apology. Per The Independent, he said:
“I have to apologise to Lionel Scaloni for what happened. I was told he was asked to put on gloves to touch the trophy. I am very sorry. On behalf of FIFA, I apologise to you.
“Of course, the world champions can touch the trophy,” Infantino continued before hoping to get the Argentine back on side with a compliment. “What an outrage! It’s just that when you’re a world champion, you look younger every day.” A now-gloveless Scaloni was then invited on stage as the FIFA chief presented him with the same trophy.
“I think they mistook me for someone else and wouldn’t let me touch it yesterday,” Scaloni replied with a wry smile. “I was told that I could not touch it without gloves. He did not recognise me.”
Argentina’s 2026 World Cup Group
In what will inevitably be Messi’s final World Cup, Scaloni and company will do everything in their power to reign supreme next summer in North America – which is to be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. But they’ll have to lock horns with Algeria, Austria and Jordan in the group stage. “They are tough opponents. Austria had a great qualifying campaign, and we believe they are a very good team,” said Scaloni after the draw before waxing lyrical about Algeria too.
“Algeria, too, because of the way they play, is an opponent to be wary of. And Jordan as well, they had a great qualifying campaign. We have continued to compete at the highest level.”
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“We have tried to bring in new players who can contribute that extra bit of youth, and that is what we will continue to try to do next year,” he concluded. Argentina, who are currently ranked second – behind Luis de la Fuente’s Euro 2024-winning Spain – will begin their World Cup defence on 16 June against Algeria in Kansas City. They will then face Austria on 22 June and Jordan on 28 June.
