Fifa president Gianni Infantino has apologised to Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni after the World Cup-winning coach was required to wear gloves when touching the trophy during the draw for the 2026 tournament.
The incident occurred at Friday's group-stage draw for the finals, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. Scaloni was visibly taken aback and said officials did not recognise him.
Infantino made amends the following day at a ceremony to confirm the tournament schedule. Calling a now-gloveless Scaloni on stage and presenting him with the trophy, Infantino said: 'I apologise on behalf of Fifa. I didn't know.'
'Of course, the world champions can touch the Cup. I apologise, I didn't know,' Infantino repeated, adding: 'What an outrage! It's just that when you're a world champion, you look younger every day.'
Argentina will begin their title defence on 16 June against Algeria in Kansas City before facing Austria and Jordan in Group J.
