The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is reportedly examining the financial activities of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) in the United States, according to reports published by MARCA and La Nación. The reported investigation comes as Argentina continues its campaign to defend its FIFA World Cup title, but officials have stressed that the inquiry is still in its early stages and no conclusions have been reached.
According to the reports, federal prosecutors and FBI agents based in Washington, D.C., and Miami are working with the U.S. Department of Justice to review the AFA's financial operations within the United States. Investigators are reportedly examining how hundreds of millions of dollars connected to the organization moved through the American banking system and whether any transactions may have violated U.S. financial laws.
La Nación reported that investigators have already begun gathering testimony from individuals connected to the case while reviewing financial records and banking documents. The inquiry is reportedly focused on determining whether any transactions involved possible money laundering, fraud, or other financial offenses. At this stage, however, authorities have not accused the AFA or any individual of committing a crime.
The reported investigation centers on TourProdEnter LLC, a company linked to theatrical producer and former Buenos Aires legislator Javier Faroni and his wife, Erica Gillette. According to both newspapers, the company handled the collection of revenue from several of the AFA's international commercial agreements, including sponsorship and licensing deals with major global companies such as Adidas and Warner.
Banking documents reviewed by La Nación reportedly show that TourProdEnter LLC moved at least $260 million through accounts held at several major U.S. financial institutions, including Citibank, Synovus, Bank of America, JPMorgan, and PNC Bank. Investigators are reportedly tracing those transactions to understand how the funds were transferred and whether all financial reporting requirements were properly followed.
In addition to those transfers, the newspaper reported that authorities are also reviewing another $57 million in transactions whose purpose has not yet been clearly identified. Investigators are attempting to determine whether there was legitimate business activity behind those transfers or whether further examination is needed.
According to La Nación, the preliminary inquiry is being handled by at least three federal prosecutors: Patrick Gushue, Christopher Ting, and Michael Berger. The newspaper also reported that Argentine businessman Guillermo Tofoni has provided information to investigators as part of the inquiry. In addition, the U.S. Department of Justice is reportedly considering interviewing former officials who served under Argentine President Javier Milei as investigators continue gathering information.
The reports suggest that the investigation began developing during 2025 before expanding in early 2026 after investigators received additional banking records and new complaints. The inquiry reportedly gained further attention following a warning issued by Argentina's Ministry of Security in September 2024 regarding potential financial risks linked to some AFA-related operations.
Despite the growing attention surrounding the case, both MARCA and La Nación emphasized that the matter remains a preliminary investigation. Authorities are still collecting evidence and reviewing financial records, and no formal charges have been filed against the Argentine Football Association, TourProdEnter LLC, or any individuals connected to the reported inquiry.
The FBI has not publicly commented on the reported investigation. When contacted for comment, the agency declined to discuss the matter, which is standard practice for ongoing or potential investigations. Likewise, U.S. prosecutors have not announced any enforcement action or confirmed whether the inquiry will lead to formal legal proceedings.
The reported investigation has attracted significant attention because the AFA oversees one of the world's most successful football programs. Led by captain Lionel Messi, Argentina are the reigning FIFA World Cup champions and are once again among the favorites at the 2026 tournament. While the investigation concerns financial activities rather than sporting matters, it has generated widespread discussion due to the global profile of the national team and its governing body.
For now, the inquiry remains in its fact-finding stage. Investigators are expected to continue reviewing financial documents, interviewing relevant individuals, and analyzing banking records before deciding whether any further legal action is necessary. Until then, no findings of wrongdoing have been made, and the reported investigation should not be interpreted as proof that any laws were broken.
