In the midst of the internal controversy that the Argentine Football Association (AFA) is going through due to the dispute with the national government regarding the implementation of Sports Joint Stock Companies (SAD) and the possible privatization of clubs, the AFA actively participated in the international event “AFA as a Global Brand, The Power of a Brand”, held in New York, United States. This initiative represents a strategic step to strengthen the AFA’s global brand and explore financing opportunities in the North American market, just two days before the group draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The event, organized at the iconic Summit One skyscraper in Manhattan in collaboration with Brand Finance, brought together more than 200 guests from the sports, business and financial fields. The presentation was led by former player and legend of the Argentine National Team, Sergio Goycochea, who moderated panels on the emotional, cultural and commercial value of sports brands. The virtual presence of goalkeeper Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez stood out, who participated via videoconference from England, sharing his vision on the preparation for the 2026 World Cup and the global impact of Argentine soccer.
During the day, the developer Anker Advisor Group, represented by its executive Andrew Piana, acted as strategic sponsor. The firm shared details about its innovative sports infrastructure projects, including the creation of the new stadium for Inter Miami CF, a team co-owned by Lionel Messi. This alliance underlines the AFA’s commitment to attracting foreign investments and consolidating its presence in the US market, at a key moment where the entity seeks to diversify funding sources to enhance the development of national soccer.
The participation of the AFA in New York, near Wall Street, comes in a context of local tensions, where President Javier Milei promotes reforms to attract private capital to sport, while the AFA leadership, led by Claudio Tapia, defends the traditional model of civil associations. Despite these challenges, the entity is seeking financing in the US, demonstrating its resilience and international vision ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will be played in North America.
