It was the first big move by the Argentine Football Association (AFA) since it last month picked new executives tasked with ending three years of turmoil in the Argentine game.

"I told him that he is no longer the coach of Argentina," the AFA's new president Claudio Tapia told reporters after meeting with Bauza at the association's headquarters.

The world number two-ranked football nation risks failing to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1970.

Star striker Lionel Messi will miss the country's three remaining qualifying matches due to suspension.

After a defeat to Bolivia last month, Argentina dropped to fifth place in the regional table -- out of the top-four automatic qualifying positions.