New Delhi, April 24 -- After Argentina won the World Cup in Qatar 2022, the president of the Argentine Football Association carried a replica of the trophy at every public appearance. He received standing ovations.

Claudio Tapia had reason to consider himself part of the sporting achievement. The AFA leader took a chance on the inexperienced Lionel Scaloni as the national team's coach, a move many say helped Argentina win its first World Cup title in 36 years.

Now, as La Albiceleste prepares to defend its title in June-July, Tapia finds himself at the center of a crisis that has shaken the country's soccer landscape.

The public mood has turned against him and AFA due to corruption investigations, unpopular changes to the domestic socce...