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The United States Department of Justice, together with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), has initiated a preliminary inquiry into the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and its president, Claudio Tapia, over alleged financial misconduct. Investigators are probing whether large sums of money — amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars — moved through American banks may constitute money laundering or wire fraud amid the ongoing World Cup.

Reports from La Nacion and Terra indicate that federal prosecutors and FBI agents in Miami have begun recording testimonies related to the AFA’s financial dealings in the United States. The inquiry is focused on the manner in which the AFA, under Tapia’s leadership, managed its international commercial agreements. Authorities are examining whether the AFA and TourProdEnter LLC — the company responsible for handling the association’s foreign contract revenues — participated in activities that could fall under money laundering or bank fraud provisions within U.S. law.

Investigators are currently tracing financial flows exceeding $300 million linked to these international operations across several major banking institutions.

As Argentina celebrated a 3-2 win over Egypt in the World Cup Round of 16, the off-field legal developments gathered pace. Investigators recently held a three-hour virtual interview with businessman Guillermo Tofoni in Miami. U.S. authorities are now looking to question individuals with first-hand information about financial operations during the administration of Claudio Tapia and Pablo Toviggino.

The investigative team is examining transactions routed through accounts held at Citibank, Bank of America, and JP Morgan. The probe aims to determine whether these dealings, which took place while Argentina was enforcing tight currency restrictions, breached any federal banking or financial laws.

In response to the mounting scrutiny, the AFA has deployed representatives in the United States to handle the legal situation. Tomas Regalado, who serves as the AFA’s ambassador in North America, recently attended a football and anti-corruption forum in Miami alongside Argentine criminal lawyer Mariano Lizardo. Addressing the investigation, Regalado emphasised the importance of due process, stating: “Investigative measures alone do not determine responsibility or guilt.” As of now, no formal charges have been brought in the U.S., with prosecutors still assessing whether sufficient evidence exists to proceed with a criminal case.

Looking ahead, the Department of Justice will decide whether to advance this preliminary probe into a formal criminal indictment. Investigators may also summon former government officials who oversaw AFA’s activities for additional questioning. Meanwhile, Claudio Tapia remains in the United States with the national squad as Argentina prepare to face Switzerland in the World Cup quarterfinals, amidst increasing off-field distractions.