Argentina Football Association Embroiled in €42M World Cup Fund Scandal

The Argentine Football Association (AFA) is embroiled in a financial scandal after investigators alleged that €42 million in World Cup prize money was diverted to shell companies in Florida.

The money, awarded by FIFA for Argentina's 2022 World Cup victory, allegedly flowed through TourProdEnter LLC, a company appointed as AFA's exclusive international commercial agent just months before the tournament. TourProdEnter processed approximately $260 million across accounts at major US banks, including Bank of America and JPMorgan.

A significant portion of these funds, totaling $42 million, was allegedly transferred to four inactive Florida shell companies with no apparent reason for receiving such large sums. Banking records revealed that $57 million in payments processed through these accounts lack clear justification.

The investigation has cast a spotlight on AFA's leadership, particularly President Claudio 'Chiqui' Tapia and Treasurer Pablo Toviggino, although no formal charges have been filed against them as of early July 2026. Argentine authorities executed raids on AFA facilities in March 2026, seizing documents and financial records related to the organization's commercial dealings.

The FBI has launched an inquiry into potential bank fraud and money laundering linked to AFA and TourProdEnter. The investigation also raised questions about the involvement of cryptocurrency partners XBO.com and Nexo, which signed partnerships with AFA in 2025 and 2026 respectively.