Judge authorizes AFA president to attend 2026 tournament after depositing 30 million pesos as bond while facing tax evasion charges.
3:27 PM
Judge Diego Amarante of the Economic Criminal Court authorized Claudio "Chiqui" Tapia, president of the Argentine Football Association (AFA), to travel abroad Monday to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup and related official events, conditional on posting a 30 million peso bond.
Tapia faces a travel restriction as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged improper retention of taxes and social security contributions. The authorization permits him to leave Argentina from May 27 through July 21, with destinations including Hungary, the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The AFA president's itinerary begins with the UEFA Champions League final in Budapest on May 30, followed by participation in official FIFA activities and World Cup events in North America. The authorization also covers two friendly matches the Argentine national team will play in the United States prior to the tournament.
Tapia is being prosecuted alongside other AFA officials in connection with allegations that the organization failed to deposit taxes and social security contributions on time between March 2024 and September 2025. According to judicial sources, the amount under investigation exceeds 19.3 billion pesos.
The judge's decision requires Tapia to maintain the 30 million peso bond as a guarantee of his return to Argentina and continued submission to the judicial process. Upon his return, Tapia must formally notify judicial authorities within 48 hours of his arrival.
The authorization encompasses official activities and stopovers in Hungary, the United States, Mexico, and Canada in connection with Tapia's dual roles as AFA president and member of the Conmebol Directorate Council. AFA treasurer Pablo Toviggino, also under investigation in the same case, has not yet requested permission to travel to the World Cup.
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