Argentina to stick with Scaloni for 2022 World Cup qualifiers

Having reached the semifinals of the Copa America, Argentina has given Lionel Scaloni its backing for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

Lionel Scaloni was part of Argentina's coaching staff for its poor campaign at Russia 2018, after which Jorge Sampaoli left his post.

Lionel Scaloni will take charge of Argentina in qualifying for the 2022 World Cup, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) has confirmed.

Scaloni was part of Argentina's coaching staff for its poor campaign at Russia 2018, after which Jorge Sampaoli left his post.

The AFA put the former Deportivo La Coruna defender in charge, initially on a temporary basis, and he led Argentina to the Copa America semifinals, where it lost to rival and eventual champion Brazil.

But it seems Scaloni has done enough to impress the AFA as he will be staying in charge for its qualifying campaign.

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"The executive committee of the AFA decided to give continuity during the next qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar that will begin next year, to the selection project headed by Lionel Scaloni," an AFA statement said.

Argentina won the Copa America third-place play-off earlier this month against Chile in a match that saw star forward Lionel Messi controversially sent off.

The side is set to face Chile, Mexico and Germany in friendlies ahead of starting on the road to Qatar.