Fresh from Argentina's dramatic and controversial 3-2 victory over Egypt in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 on Tuesday in Atlanta, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) has reportedly become the subject of an alleged US$300 million money laundering investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
According to Argentine newspaper La Nación, the FBI is investigating the AFA over suspicious financial activity involving the alleged channelling of an estimated US$300 million. The investigation is examining whether any of the transactions could amount to offences such as money laundering or fraud that fall under U.S. jurisdiction.
La Nación further reports that investigators are examining alleged meetings between AFA officials and businessman Guillermo Tofoni, with one meeting said to have lasted three hours.
The report says the FBI's preliminary investigation began in 2025 and has already involved gathering testimony and reviewing the AFA's financial operations under the leadership of president Claudio "Chiqui" Tapia. Investigators are also reportedly seeking witnesses with direct knowledge of dealings involving the federation during the tenures of Tapia and AFA executive Pablo Toviggino.
The investigation is reportedly being led by federal prosecutors Patrick Gushue of the U.S. Department of Justice's Banking Integrity Unit and Christopher Ting in Washington, D.C.
Michael Berger, a federal prosecutor in the Southern District of Florida, is also said to be involved. Berger previously participated in the prosecution that led to the conviction of former Ecuadorian Comptroller General Carlos Ramón Polit Faggioni on money laundering charges in Miami.
According to the report, the FBI is also considering interviewing former officials who served under Argentine President Javier Milei's administration.
Meanwhile, defending champions Argentina are preparing to face Switzerland in the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals on Sunday in Kansas.