The U.S. Department of Justice and the FBI are examining financial dealings of the Asociación del Fútbol Argentino (AFA), which is led by Claudio ‘Chiqui’ Tapia, as part of an inquiry that began in 2025. The probe aims to determine if any of the transactions—many of which were processed through U.S. banks,constitute federal crimes such as money laundering or financial fraud, according to multiple sources.

FBI Seizes Over 600 Drones During World Cup

Separately, the FBI has seized more than 600 drones that violated restricted airspace around World Cup venues; these actions are part of a broader security campaign to monitor drone traffic at stadiums, fan festivals, and other events. The FAA requires drone operators to be aware of and comply with flight restrictions, and violations typically result in fines and the confiscation of the devices, according to federal guidelines.

Investigation Involves Key Figures and Companies

Federal agents have already begun taking statements from individuals involved in the AFA’s financial activities in the United States — Among them was a videoconference with businessman Guillermo Tofoni, as reported by La Nación. The focus of the investigation is on how the AFA operated in the U.S. and the role of TourProdEnter LLC, which serves as a collection agent for AFA sponsorship contracts.

The probe is being led by three federal prosecutors: Patrick Gushue and Christopher Ting in Washington, D.C., and Michael Berger in the Southern District of Florida. Gushue is part of the Department of Justice’s Banking Integrity Unit and has previously worked on financial crime cases, according to source material.

Previous Scrutiny and Legal Precautions

This is not the first time the AFA has faced scrutiny. In December 2025. Argentina’s federal police conducted raids at the AFA headquarters and several clubs as part of an investigation into Sur Finanzas, a financial company accused of money laundering and tax evasion. The AFA at the time stated it was fully cooperating with authorities and that no charges had been filed against it, according to a Korean-language report.

Legal experts have emphasized the seriousness of the current investigation, noting that the involvement of high-profile prosecutors and the scale of the financial transactions under review,exceeding $300 million,make it a matter of concern. According to an Argentine source. The U.S. inquiry is likely in a preliminary stage to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to pursue criminal charges.

With Argentina’s World Cup campaign still in progress, the investigation has drawn attention in the media and among fans, and the AFA has not issued a public statement on the matter, and the U.S. Department of Justice and FBI have not released official information about the case, according to reports from Vietnam.vn and Libertad Digital.