FIFA president Gianni Infantino apologized to Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni after a mix-up during Friday’s 2026 World Cup draw required the coach to wear gloves to touch the trophy. Infantino on Saturday invited Scaloni to lift the Cup without gloves during a separate ceremony.
The incident came during Friday’s draw for the tournament, set to be co-hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada, when organizers seemingly failed to recognize the World Cup-winning coach.
Scaloni, visibly taken aback, said that the officials did not know who he was.
Photo: AP
Twenty-four hours later, at an event to confirm the tournament’s schedule, Infantino aimed to make amends.
“I apologize on behalf of FIFA. I didn’t know,” he said, calling Scaloni on stage and presenting him with the trophy.
“Of course, the world champions can touch the Cup. I apologize, I didn’t know,” Infantino said. “What an outrage. It’s just that when you’re a world champion, you look younger every day.”
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