Argentina Football Association Investigated by FBI for Money Laundering: Here’s What We Know So Far | Today’s news
Even as defending champions Argentina continue their impressive run at the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is co-hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico, the country’s football governing body is making headlines for the wrong reasons. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) is reportedly being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for alleged money laundering.
According to Argentine newspaper La Nación, the FBI is investigating how AFA moved more than $300 million to banks and companies in the US. The activities of Claudio Tapio, president of the AFA, are under the scrutiny of investigators, the report said.
The investigation centers on whether the flow of more than $300 million through TourProdEnter LLC, a South Florida-based company that managed the collection of AFA contracts abroad, could be classified as money laundering or bank fraud under U.S. jurisdiction. The transactions were conducted through accounts at Citibank, Bank of America and JP Morgan.
The report added that during Argentina’s match against Cape Verde, FBI agents and Justice Department prosecutors were questioning Argentine sports businessman Guillermo Tofoni in connection with the allegations.
Documents accessed by La Nación show that TourProdEnter LLC managed at least $260 million in AFA revenue, although only a small portion of that can be directly linked to the soccer organization’s operating costs.
Another $57 million was reportedly distributed to various people and companies, although the filing does not give any specific reason. The report also added that some of these wire transfers appear to have been sent to companies that were controlled by individuals who received social security benefits and resided in either Buenos Aires or Bariloche.
Other financial transfers were linked to Pablo Toviggino, AFA’s executive secretary and treasurer.
$340,000 paid to “spirit guide”
One of the suspicious transactions being investigated is $340,000 paid to the family of a so-called “spirit guide” who traveled with the national team to major tournaments, including the 2024 Copa América and this year’s World Cup. The payments, which included 17 transfers of $20,000 each, were made to the son of José Almaraz, a former player described as a spiritual guide close to the AFA leadership.
While the AFA has not officially responded to the report, Tomas Regalado, who serves as the AFA’s ambassador to North America, recently stated that “investigative measures alone do not determine responsibility or blame.”
No formal charges have yet been filed in the United States, as prosecutors are still determining whether there is enough evidence to prosecute, he noted.
