The president of the Argentine Football Association (AFA), Claudio "Chiqui" Tapia, commented that it was previously more common to see families in the stadiums with the National Team than with the championships, but this trend has been changing. He highlighted that after the pandemic, the stadiums filled up again, seeing an increase in the number of subscribers and members in each club, and that the tournaments have become more attractive for fans.
Regarding the Argentine Cup, Tapia mentioned that it has been a great success and has grown significantly, mentioning that the players have shown no limits and highlighting the achievements made by the coaching staff. He emphasized historical milestones such as the continental and world championships won, pointing out that this group of players has marked a before and after in the history of Argentine football.
Concerning the 2030 World Cup, Tapia considers it to be a great opportunity for Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, emphasizing that although it will not be played entirely in Argentina, the country will host key matches, without having to compete with the infrastructure of other nations. He acknowledged that the investments in the football fields of Argentina were a pending debt and that the essence of football is being recovered, allowing families to return to the stadiums.
During an interview in Mar del Plata with Augusto Digiovanni, owner of Balneario 12, Tapia affirmed that the National Team will continue to win titles, mentioning the importance of the growth of the facilities in Ezeiza. He explained that they have expanded the facilities to host all selections and organize preseason training for referees, demonstrating growth in all aspects.
Tapia recalled that it has been 20 years since he visited Mar del Plata as president of Barracas Central, highlighting the football essence of the place. He emphasized the growth experienced since then and the opportunity to share the World Cup with the people of the beach resort, underlining the pleasure that football has brought them over the years.
