The president of the Argentine Football Association (AFA), Claudio 'Chiqui' Tapia, expressed optimism after the draw for the 2026 World Cup and posted: 'Once again, all together!'. Additionally, as learned from the Argentine News Agency, the head of national football shared a photo with Lionel Scaloni and Walter Samuel, the head coach and assistant of the Argentine national team, who do not look smiling in the image. The post came shortly after the group stage draw for the upcoming World Cup, to be held in Canada, the United States, and Mexico, where the lottery placed Argentina in Group J, alongside Austria, Algeria, and Jordan. From right to left: 'Chiqui' Tapia, with Scaloni and Samuel. Argentine News Agency/Networks @tapiachiqui. Being one of the most anticipated events for all football fans in the year leading up to a World Cup, the 2026 World Cup draw filled Claudio Tapia with expectations, who was part of the Argentine delegation along with Scaloni and Samuel. 'Today a new dream began,' is the phrase that begins the message, affirming that it is the same one every four years that 'unites all the Argentine people': to go for a new World Cup. Furthermore, Tapia described it as 'an honor' to have witnessed and represented the country at the draw and commented that the three rivals in the first phase 'will be the first important steps in the search for the objective'. Finally, the president closed his brief post by stating his condition as a World champion and assuring that they have 'the obligation to defend the Cup'. His message was accompanied by a 'selfie' photo he took with Scaloni and Samuel. While 'Chiqui' appears smiling, the members of the national team's coaching staff have serious faces, with Scaloni even crossing his arms.
