Gianni Infantino sent Argentine FA president Claudio Tapia a congratulatory letter praising the squad's "professionalism" after the 2026 World Cup final. The same squad FIFA is currently investigating for a post-match brawl. The same tournament where Leandro Paredes attacked Eric Garcia in the tunnel after Argentina's extra-time loss to Spain.
The letter, dated July 20 and first surfaced by Argentine media before being verified by the Daily Mail, is the kind of correspondence that was probably never meant to see daylight. It reads warmly, even effusively — Infantino praising "constant work, professionalism and attention to detail" from a side that didn't register a single shot on target in the final and turned their backs on Spain's trophy lift.
What the letter actually says
"Argentina won the silver medal of the FIFA World Cup 2026, after an exciting final against Spain," Infantino wrote to Tapia. "The magnificent performance of the Albiceleste also contributed decisively to making this edition an exceptional event that captivated millions of football enthusiasts around the world."
He closed with: "All this augurs a very promising future and, without a doubt, will pave the way for new and great successes for Argentine football. With all my friendship, Gianni Infantino."
It reads like a message to a champion. Argentina finished second.
The gap between the letter and the record
The post-match incident involving Paredes and Garcia — with Nahuel Molina, Thiago Almada, and assistant Roberto Ayala also implicated — is under formal FIFA investigation. That alone makes the "professionalism" line difficult to square. But the issues ran deeper than one tunnel altercation.
Throughout the knockout rounds, Argentina were accused of systematic simulation to manipulate officials. In the semi-final win over England, they drew comparisons to their infamous tactics used against Jude Bellingham. In the final, Messi reportedly attempted to pressure referee Slavko Vincic into sending off Marc Cucurella for covering his mouth — a near-identical move to the Bellingham incident. Argentine players and celebrities also brandished a political banner referencing the Falkland Islands, drawing sharp criticism from British officials.
- Paredes attacked Eric Garcia after the final whistle — under active FIFA investigation
- Molina, Almada, and assistant coach Roberto Ayala also implicated in the incident
- Argentina failed to record a single shot on target across 120 minutes of the final
- Messi attempted to get Cucurella sent off in a move mirroring the Bellingham semi-final controversy
None of that features in Infantino's letter. What does feature is a warm personal sign-off to Tapia — "with all my friendship" — at a moment when FIFA's own disciplinary machinery is grinding through cases involving Tapia's players and staff.
Whether the investigations produce meaningful sanctions or quietly fade is the real question. Infantino has already told Tapia what he thinks of the team. The proceedings will tell us whether that view carries weight inside his own organisation.
