FIFA Issue Apology to Lionel Scaloni After 'Ridiculous' Incident at World Cup Draw

Gianni Infantino has apologised on behalf of FIFA for what happened to Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni at the 2026 World Cup draw.

Scaloni, who guided his Argentina side to World Cup glory in 2022, was asked to carry the coveted trophy on stage during Friday's ceremony at the Kennedy Centre in Washington DC.

It is a privilege that FIFA grants to the reigning champion.

"We are going to give the maximum and try to do what we did in the last World Cup, which is to give everything we can, not to give a ball up for lost," said Scaloni.

At the time, Scaloni's role in the draw appeared seamless, but a day later, FIFA president Gianni Infantino issued a public apology to the coach after he was required to wear gloves to touch the trophy.

Scaloni was forced to wear gloves at the draw. Image credit: Getty

Speaking at a separate ceremony on Saturday, Infantino invited Scaloni to lift the trophy without gloves.

"I have to apologise to Lionel Scaloni for what happened," the FIFA president said at the event, which unveiled the match schedule for next summer's tournament. "I was told he was asked to put on gloves to touch the trophy."

"I am very sorry. On behalf of FIFA, I apologise to you," Infantino added. "Of course, the world champions can touch the trophy."

As seen in the footage below, the president then allowed Scaloni to hold the trophy with his bare hands.

“I think they mistook me for someone else and wouldn’t let me touch it yesterday,” Scaloni replied with a smile. "I was told that I could not touch it without gloves. He did not recognise me."

Infantino responded by saying that the protocol was "ridiculous".

Lionel Scaloni reacts to Argentina's "tough" draw at World Cup

Argentina, the defending champions, will take on Austria, Algeria and Jordan in Group J.

“They are tough opponents. Austria had a great qualifying campaign, and we believe they are a very good team," said Scaloni after Friday's draw.

"Algeria, too, because of the way they play, is an opponent to be wary of. And Jordan as well, they had a great qualifying campaign."

"We have continued to compete at the highest level," added Scaloni. "We have tried to bring in new players who can contribute that extra bit of youth, and that is what we will continue to try to do next year.”