Argentina national football team facts for kids
Nickname(s) | La Selección (The Selection) La Albiceleste (The White and Sky Blue) |
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Association | Asociación del Fútbol Argentino (Argentine Football Association) |
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Confederation | CONMEBOL (South American Football Confederation) |
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Head coach | Lionel Scaloni | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Captain | Lionel Messi | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Most caps | Lionel Messi (187) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Top scorer | Lionel Messi (109) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Home stadium | Various | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
FIFA code | ARG | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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FIFA ranking | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Current | 11 (7 February 2019) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Highest | 1 (March 2007, October 2007 – June 2008, July–October 2015, April 2016 – April 2017, April 2023 –) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lowest | 24 (August 1996) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Elo ranking | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Current | 13 7 (3 March 2019) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Highest | 1 (29 times between 1902 and 2016) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lowest | 26 (June 1990) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
First international | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Uruguay 0–6 Argentina (Montevideo, Uruguay; 20 July 1902) |
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Biggest win | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Argentina 12–0 Ecuador (Montevideo, Uruguay; 22 January 1942) |
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Biggest defeat | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Czechoslovakia 6–1 Argentina (Helsingborg, Sweden; 15 June 1958) Argentina 0–5 Colombia (Buenos Aires, Argentina; 5 September 1993) Bolivia 6–1 Argentina (La Paz, Bolivia; 1 April 2009) Spain 6–1 Argentina (Madrid, Spain; 27 March 2018) |
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World Cup | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Appearances | 19 (first in 1930) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Best result | Champions (1978, 1986, 2022) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Copa América | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Appearances | 44 (first in 1916) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Best result | Champions (1921, 1925, 1927, 1929, 1937, 1941, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1955, 1957, 1959, 1991, 1993, 2021, 2024) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Panamerican Championship | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Appearances | 2 (first in 1956) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Best result | Champions (1960) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Appearances | 2 (first in 1993) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Best result | Champions (1993, 2022) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Confederations Cup | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Appearances | 3 (first in 1992) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Best result | Champions (1992) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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The Argentina national football team (Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Argentina), nicknamed La Albiceleste ('The White and Sky Blue'), represents Argentina in men's international football and is administered by the Argentine Football Association, the governing body for football in Argentina.
They are the reigning world champions, having won the most recent World Cup in 2022, earning their third star shown by the team's crest. Overall, Argentina has appeared in a World Cup final six times, a record equaled by Italy and surpassed only by Brazil and Germany. Argentina played in the first ever final in 1930, which they lost 4–2 to Uruguay. The following final appearance came 48 years later, in 1978, when the team captained by Daniel Passarella defeated the Netherlands 3–1 in extra time, becoming world champions for the first time. Captained by Diego Maradona, Argentina won their second World Cup eight years later, in 1986, with a 3–2 final victory over West Germany. They reached the final once more under the guidance of Maradona, in 1990, but were ultimately beaten 1–0 by West Germany. A few decades later, Argentina, led by Lionel Messi made their fifth final appearance in 2014, losing to Germany 1–0 after extra time. In 2022, again captained by Messi, they were crowned world champions for the third time, the fourth-most of any country, beating France 4–2 on penalties, following a 3–3 draw after extra time.
The team's World Cup–winning managers are César Luis Menotti in 1978, Carlos Bilardo in 1986 and Lionel Scaloni in 2022. Since the Golden Ball for the tournament's best player was officially awarded by FIFA in 1982, Argentina players have won it three times: Maradona in 1986 and Messi in 2014 and 2022. Argentines Guillermo Stábile in 1930 and Mario Kempes in 1978 were the top-scoring players at their respective World Cups.
Argentina has also been very successful in the Copa América, winning it a record 16 times, most recently winning the 2024 edition, which made them the second country (the other being Spain) to win three consecutive major titles. They are the only nation to have won the Copa América three consecutive times. The team won the inaugural FIFA Confederations Cup in 1992. Argentina is the most successful team in the CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions, having won it twice, in 1993 and 2022. As of 2024, Argentina holds the record for most official titles won by a men's national team with 23.
Argentina is known for having rivalries with Brazil, Uruguay, England, Germany, and the Netherlands.
Individually for Argentina, Lionel Messi is the all-time most-capped player with 187 matches and the highest goalscorer with 109 goals. As of June 2024[update], Argentina ranks 1st in the FIFA Men's World Ranking.
Contents
History
The first ever match Argentina played was against Uruguay on 20 June 1902. The game, which was the first international for both sides, was held in Montevideo, and Argentina won 6–0. During the first years of its existence, Argentina only played friendly matches against other South American teams. The reasons for this varied, including long travel times between countries and the interruption due to World War I.
La Albiceleste has appeared in World Cup finals six times, including the first ever final on 30 July 1930, which they lost 4–2 to Uruguay. Argentina won their next final on 25 June 1978, beating the Netherlands 3–1. Eight years later, in 1986, Argentina led by Diego Maradona won their second title with a 3–2 victory over West Germany. Under the guidance of Maradona, they reached the final again, in 1990, but ultimately lost 1–0 to West Germany, by a much-disputed penalty. Led by Lionel Messi, Argentina reached the final in 2014, where they were beaten 1–0 by Germany in extra time. In 2022, again under the captaincy of Messi, Argentina won their third World Cup, beating France 4–2 on penalties, following a 3–3 draw after extra time. The team's World Cup–winning managers are César Luis Menotti in 1978, Carlos Bilardo in 1986 and Lionel Scaloni in 2022.
Argentina has also been very successful in the South American Football Championship, the Copa América, winning it 16 times; they were crowned champions most recently in 2024. The team also won the inaugural FIFA Confederations Cup in 1992 and the CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions in 1993 and 2022.
In March 2007, Argentina reached the top of the FIFA Men's World Ranking for the first time.
Home stadium
Argentina plays most of its home matches at River Plate's stadium, Estadio Monumental, in Buenos Aires, although the team also uses various other venues frequently, such as Estadio Único Madre de Ciudades and Boca Juniors' stadium, La Bombonera. Those venues, along with Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes and Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario, were used for the 2022 World Cup qualification. Additionally, Argentina played some matches at Rosario Central's stadium, Estadio Gigante de Arroyito, during their 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign.
GEBA Stadium was the first stadium Argentina used for its home matches; that includes the Copa Newton match against Uruguay held on 13 September 1908, which has a historic significance for being the first time Argentina wore the light blue and white-striped jersey in an official game, which has since then been the defining uniform up to the present day. GEBA was also used for the Copa Centenario Revolución de Mayo, the first competition held between South American national teams, considered the predecessor of Copa América, organised by the Argentine Football Association (AFA) in 1910. Most recently, Argentina played at GEBA on 19 October 1919, winning the Copa Premier Honor Argentino after a 6–1 victory over Uruguay.
Furthermore, Estadio Sportivo Barracas is also considered a memorable venue for Argentina; the stadium was commonly used by Argentina from 1920 to 1932. Playing at the stadium for La Albiceleste on 2 October 1924, forward Cesáreo Onzari scored directly from a corner kick, the first such incident in football, when Argentina beat Uruguay 2–1; such goals are now often referred as Olympic goals due to the fact that Uruguay had just won the 1924 Olympic title. Sportivo Barracas was later demolished after 1936.
Team image
Kit
The first kit ever worn by Argentina, in their official debut against Uruguay in 1902, included a light blue shirt. On 2 July 1908, Argentina debuted a shirt with light blue vertical stripes on a white jersey, which they used when they played a side formed of Campeonato Paulista players at Velódromo Paulistano; they used the jersey in an official game against Uruguay on 13 September 1908, and the striped jersey has remained as the definitive kit for Argentina ever since then. The team's away kits have been in dark blue shades, with the colours of shorts and socks varying from time to time.
Argentina has also sported other kits; on 3 June 1919 in Rio de Janeiro, playing against Brazil, Argentina wore a light blue kit, similar to that of Uruguay, out of respect for Roberto Chery, a substitute goalkeeper for Uruguay, who had collapsed and died during a match against Chile at the 1919 South American Championship; the game between Argentina and Brazil was organised by the Brazilian Football Confederation for the benefit of Chery's relatives. At the 1958 World Cup, Argentina wore the yellow jersey of Swedish club IFK Malmö against West Germany, as the team had arrived in Sweden without an away kit.
At the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, the then manager, Carlos Bilardo, asked the team's kit supplier, Le Coq Sportif, for lighter blue shirts for their quarter-final against England in three days, but they could not be provided. Then, a member of the coaching staff scoured the shops of Mexico City for 38 plain shirts, which were transformed with an improvised version of the AFA emblem embroidered on the shirts and silvery American football numbers ironed to the backs.
Sporting the makeshift jerseys, Argentina beat England on 22 June, with Diego Maradona scoring his famous "Hand of God goal". Afterwards, the shirt became a symbol of the occasion and an important collector's item.
At the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Argentina debuted a black away kit; and at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, they wore a purple away kit in a competitive game for the first time.
Kit suppliers
Kit supplier | Period | Ref. |
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St. Margaret | 1901–1924 | |
Gath & Chaves | 1925–1934 | |
(no data for the 1935–1957 period) | ||
Industria Lanús | 1958–1963 | |
Noceto Sports | 1964–1965 | |
Sportlandia | 1966 | |
Industria Lanús | 1967–1974 | |
Adidas | 1974–1979 | |
Le Coq Sportif | 1980–1989 | |
Adidas | 1990–1998 | |
Reebok | 1999–2001 | |
Adidas | 2001–present |
Crest
Argentina has used the logo of the Argentine Football Association as its emblem since it was first worn at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden; the logo was added to the team's jackets, but not the shirts. The emblem was not used on jerseys until 16 November 1976, when Argentina played the Soviet Union at Estadio Monumental. At the beginning, the crest used did not include a laurel wreath, which was first added for the 1982 World Cup.
As a respected and common practice, two stars were added above the crest in 2004, symbolising Argentina's World Cup titles in 1978 and 1986. In 2022, a third star was added after Argentina were crowned world champions for the third time.
Results and fixtures
The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
Win Draw Loss Fixture
2023
2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 7 September | Argentina | 1–0 | Ecuador | Buenos Aires, Argentina | ||
21:00 ART (UTC−3) |
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https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288315/288316/400017277 | Stadium: Más Monumental Attendance: 84,500 Referee: Wilmar Roldán (Colombia) |
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2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 12 September | Bolivia | 0–3 | Argentina | La Paz, Bolivia | ||
16:00 BOT (UTC−4) | https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288315/288316/400017280 | Stadium: Estadio Hernando Siles Attendance: 24,000 Referee: Esteban Ostojich (Uruguay) |
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2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 12 October | Argentina | 1–0 | Paraguay | Buenos Aires, Argentina | ||
21:00 ART (UTC−3) |
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https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288315/288316/400017343 | Stadium: Más Monumental Attendance: 80,000 Referee: Raphael Claus (Brazil) |
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2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 17 October | Peru | 0–2 | Argentina | Lima, Peru | ||
21:00 PET (UTC−5) | https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288315/288316/400017348 |
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Stadium: Estadio Nacional Attendance: 37,675 Referee: Jesús Valenzuela (Venezuela) |
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2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 16 November | Argentina | 0–2 | Uruguay | Buenos Aires, Argentina | ||
21:00 ART (UTC−3) | https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288315/288316/400017647 | Stadium: La Bombonera Attendance: 51,900 Referee: Wilmar Roldán (Colombia) |
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2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 21 November | Brazil | 0–1 | Argentina | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | ||
21:30 BRA (UTC−3) | https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288315/288316/400017648 |
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Stadium: Maracanã Attendance: 68,138 Referee: Piero Maza (Chile) |
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2024
Friendly 22 March | Argentina | 3–0 | El Salvador | Philadelphia, United States | ||
20:00 EDT (UTC−4) |
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https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/03/23/world/friendlies/argentina/el-salvador/4326189/ | Stadium: Lincoln Financial Field Referee: Victor Rivas (United States) |
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Friendly 26 March | Argentina | 3–1 | Costa Rica | Los Angeles, United States | ||
19:50 PDT (UTC−7) |
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https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/03/27/world/friendlies/argentina/costa-rica/4326190/ |
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Stadium: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Referee: Josef Mickelson (United States) |
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Friendly 9 June | Argentina | 1–0 | Ecuador | Chicago, United States | ||
17:30 CDT (UTC−5) |
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https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/06/10/world/friendlies/argentina/ecuador/4347604/ | Stadium: Soldier Field Attendance: 51,090 Referee: Drew Fischer (Canada) |
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Friendly 14 June | Argentina | 4–1 | Guatemala | Landover, United States | ||
20:00 EDT (UTC−4) | https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/06/14/world/friendlies/guatemala/argentina/4327821/ | Stadium: Commanders Field Attendance: 65,000 Referee: Joseph Dickerson (United States) |
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2024 Copa América GS 20 June | Argentina | 2–0 | Canada | Atlanta, United States | ||
20:00 EDT (UTC−4) | https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/06/21/south-america/copa-america/argentina/canada/4275144/ | Stadium: Mercedes-Benz Stadium Attendance: 70,564 Referee: Jesús Valenzuela (Venezuela) |
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2024 Copa América GS 25 June | Chile | 0–1 | Argentina | East Rutherford, United States | ||
21:00 EDT (UTC−4) | https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/06/26/south-america/copa-america/chile/argentina/4275146/ | Stadium: MetLife Stadium Attendance: 81,106 Referee: Andrés Matonte (Uruguay) |
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2024 Copa América GS 29 June | Argentina | 2–0 | Peru | Miami Gardens, United States | ||
20:00 EDT (UTC−4) | https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/06/30/south-america/copa-america/argentina/peru/4275148/ | Stadium: Hard Rock Stadium Attendance: 64,972 Referee: César Arturo Ramos (Mexico) |
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2024 Copa América QF 4 July | Argentina | 1–1 (4–2 pen)
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Ecuador | Houston, United States | ||
20:00 CDT (UTC−5) | https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/07/05/south-america/copa-america/argentina/ecuador/4275168/ | Stadium: NRG Stadium Attendance: 69,456 Referee: Andrés Matonte (Uruguay) |
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Penalties | ||||||
*Messi
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* Mena
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2024 Copa América SF 9 July | Argentina | 2–0 | Canada | East Rutherford, United States | ||
20:00 EDT (UTC−4) |
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https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/07/10/south-america/copa-america/argentina/canada/4275172/ | Stadium: MetLife Stadium Attendance: 80,102 Referee: Piero Maza (Chile) |
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2024 Copa América Final 14 July | Argentina | 1–0 | Colombia | Miami Gardens, United States | ||
20:00 EDT (UTC−4) | https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/07/15/south-america/copa-america/argentina/colombia/4275176/ | Stadium: Hard Rock Stadium Referee: Raphael Claus (Brazil) |
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2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 5 September | Argentina | v | Chile | Argentina | ||
--:-- ARG (UTC−3) | ||||||
2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 10 September | Colombia | v | Argentina | Barranquilla, Colombia | ||
--:-- COL (UTC−5) | Stadium: Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez |
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2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 10 October | Venezuela | v | Argentina | Venezuela | ||
--:-- VEN (UTC−4) | ||||||
2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 15 October | Argentina | v | Bolivia | Argentina | ||
--:-- ARG (UTC−3) | ||||||
2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 14 November | Paraguay | v | Argentina | Asunción, Paraguay | ||
--:-- PAR (UTC−4) | Stadium: Estadio Defensores del Chaco |
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2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 19 November | Argentina | v | Peru | Argentina | ||
--:-- ARG (UTC−3) | ||||||
2025
2025 Finalissima TBD | Argentina | v | Spain | TBD | ||
Coaching staff
Position | Name |
---|---|
Head coach | Lionel Scaloni |
Assistant coach | Pablo Aimar |
Roberto Ayala | |
Walter Samuel | |
Goalkeeping coach | Martín Tocalli |
Fitness coach | Luis Martín |
Video analyst | Matías Manna |
Team coordinator | Nicolás Russo |
Academy manager | Bernardo Romeo |
Base camp coordinator | Óscar Dertycia |
Goalkeeping coordinator | Mauro Dobler |
Players
Current squad
The following 26 players were named in the squad for the 2024 Copa América.
Caps and goals are correct as of 9 July 2024, after the match against Canada.
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | GK | Franco Armani | 16 October 1986 | 19 | 0 | River Plate |
12 | GK | Gerónimo Rulli | 20 May 1992 | 4 | 0 | Ajax |
23 | GK | Emiliano Martínez | 2 September 1992 | 44 | 0 | Aston Villa |
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2 | DF | Lucas Martínez Quarta | 10 May 1996 | 15 | 0 | Fiorentina |
3 | DF | Nicolás Tagliafico | 31 August 1992 | 62 | 1 | Lyon |
4 | DF | Gonzalo Montiel | 1 January 1997 | 31 | 1 | Nottingham Forest |
6 | DF | Germán Pezzella | 27 June 1991 | 41 | 3 | Real Betis |
8 | DF | Marcos Acuña | 28 October 1991 | 59 | 0 | Sevilla |
13 | DF | Cristian Romero | 27 April 1998 | 35 | 3 | Tottenham Hotspur |
19 | DF | Nicolás Otamendi | 12 February 1988 | 116 | 6 | Benfica |
25 | DF | Lisandro Martínez | 18 January 1998 | 22 | 1 | Manchester United |
26 | DF | Nahuel Molina | 6 April 1998 | 42 | 1 | Atlético Madrid |
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5 | MF | Leandro Paredes | 29 June 1994 | 64 | 5 | Roma |
7 | MF | Rodrigo De Paul | 24 May 1994 | 68 | 2 | Atlético Madrid |
14 | MF | Exequiel Palacios | 5 October 1998 | 31 | 0 | Bayer Leverkusen |
16 | MF | Giovani Lo Celso | 9 April 1996 | 56 | 3 | Tottenham Hotspur |
18 | MF | Guido Rodríguez | 12 April 1994 | 30 | 1 | Real Betis |
20 | MF | Alexis Mac Allister | 24 December 1998 | 30 | 2 | Liverpool |
21 | MF | Valentín Carboni | 5 March 2005 | 3 | 0 | Inter Milan |
24 | MF | Enzo Fernández | 17 January 2001 | 27 | 4 | Chelsea |
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9 | FW | Julián Álvarez | 31 January 2000 | 35 | 9 | Manchester City |
10 | FW | Lionel Messi (captain) | 24 June 1987 | 186 | 109 | Inter Miami |
11 | FW | Ángel Di María (vice-captain) | 14 February 1988 | 145 | 31 | Benfica |
15 | FW | Nicolás González | 6 April 1998 | 38 | 5 | Fiorentina |
17 | FW | Alejandro Garnacho | 1 July 2004 | 6 | 0 | Manchester United |
22 | FW | Lautaro Martínez | 22 August 1997 | 63 | 28 | Inter Milan |
Recent call-ups
The following players have also been called up for the team in the last twelve months.
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Walter Benítez | 19 January 1993 | 1 | 0 | PSV Eindhoven | v. Costa Rica, 26 March 2024 |
GK | Juan Musso | 6 May 1994 | 2 | 0 | Atalanta | v. Brazil, 21 November 2023 |
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DF | Valentín Barco | 23 July 2004 | 2 | 0 | Brighton & Hove Albion | v. Guatemala, 15 June 2024 PRE |
DF | Leonardo Balerdi | 26 January 1999 | 2 | 0 | Marseille | v. Guatemala, 15 June 2024 PRE |
DF | Nehuén Pérez | 24 June 2000 | 2 | 0 | Udinese | v. Costa Rica, 26 March 2024 |
DF | Nicolás Valentini | 6 April 2001 | 0 | 0 | Boca Juniors | v. Costa Rica, 26 March 2024 |
DF | Marcos Senesi | 10 May 1997 | 1 | 0 | Bournemouth | v. El Salvador, 22 March 2024 INJ |
DF | Pablo Maffeo | 12 July 1997 | 0 | 0 | Mallorca | v. Brazil, 21 November 2023 |
DF | Francisco Ortega | 19 March 1999 | 0 | 0 | Olympiacos | v. Brazil, 21 November 2023 |
DF | Facundo Medina | 28 May 1999 | 3 | 0 | Lens | v. Peru, 17 October 2023 |
DF | Juan Foyth | 12 January 1998 | 18 | 0 | Villarreal | v. Paraguay, 12 October 2023 INJ |
DF | Marco Pellegrino | 18 July 2002 | 0 | 0 | Milan | v. Paraguay, 12 October 2023 at U23 |
DF | Lucas Esquivel | 14 October 2001 | 0 | 0 | Athletico Paranaense | v. Paraguay, 12 October 2023 at U23 |
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MF | Facundo Buonanotte | 23 December 2004 | 2 | 0 | Brighton & Hove Albion | v. Costa Rica, 26 March 2024 |
MF | Thiago Almada | 26 April 2001 | 4 | 1 | Botafogo | v. Paraguay, 12 October 2023 at U23 |
MF | Carlos Alcaraz | 30 November 2002 | 0 | 0 | Southampton | v. Paraguay, 12 October 2023 at U23 |
MF | Facundo Farías | 28 August 2002 | 0 | 0 | Inter Miami | v. Paraguay, 12 October 2023 at U23 |
MF | Bruno Zapelli | 17 May 2002 | 0 | 0 | Athletico Paranaense | v. Paraguay, 12 October 2023 at U23 |
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FW | Ángel Correa | 9 March 1995 | 25 | 3 | Atlético Madrid | v. Guatemala, 15 June 2024 PRE |
FW | Paulo Dybala | 15 November 1993 | 38 | 3 | Roma | v. El Salvador, 22 March 2024 INJ |
FW | Lucas Ocampos | 11 July 1994 | 12 | 2 | Sevilla | v. Brazil, 21 November 2023 |
FW | Lucas Beltrán | 29 March 2001 | 0 | 0 | Fiorentina | v. Peru, 17 October 2023 |
FW | Alan Velasco | 27 July 2002 | 0 | 0 | FC Dallas | v. Ecuador, 7 September 2023 at U23 |
COV Withdrew from the squad due to quarantine or infection by COVID-19 |
Individual records and achievements
- Players in bold are still active with Argentina.
Most-capped players
Argentina national football team records and statistics
Top goalscorers
Argentina national football team records and statistics
World Cup-winning captains
Year | Player | Caps | Goals |
---|---|---|---|
1978 | Daniel Passarella | 70 | 22 |
1986 | Diego Maradona | 91 | 34 |
2022 | Lionel Messi | 187 | 109 |
Competitive record
Argentina national football team records and statistics
Head-to-head record
Argentina national football team records and statistics
Rivalries
Brazil
Argentina and Brazil have a fierce rivalry which is one of the oldest in South America. Games between the two teams, even those that are only friendly matches, are often marked by notable and controversial incidents. The rivalry has also been referred to as the "Battle of the Americas." FIFA has described it as the "essence of football rivalry".
The rivalry has extended to comparisons between Pelé and Diego Maradona. Some of their countrymen also feature regularly in such debates. The next most notable pair are perhaps Garrincha (Brazilian) and Alfredo Di Stéfano (Argentine). The most dominant figures from the two countries in the modern game are Neymar (Brazilian) and Lionel Messi (Argentine). Both Pelé and Maradona have declared Neymar and Messi their respective "successors".
England
With a rivalry stemming from the 1966 World Cup and intensified by the Falklands War of 1982, Argentina and England have had numerous confrontations in World Cup tournaments. Among them was the quarter-final match in 1986, where Diego Maradona scored two goals against England. The first was a handball, but was ruled legal by the referee. The second, scored minutes later, saw Maradona passing five England outfield players before scoring, and is often described as one of, if not the greatest goal in football history.
The nations were paired together in the Round of 16 at the 1998 World Cup, won by Argentina on penalties, and again at the group stage in 2002, England winning 1–0 through a penalty by David Beckham who had been sent off in the tie four years earlier.
Germany
Argentina has played Germany in seven FIFA World Cup matches including three FIFA World Cup finals: In 1986 Argentina won 3–2, but in the 1990 and 2014 it was the Germans who were the victors by a 1–0 scoreline both times.
In 1958 they met for the first time in the group stage, where Argentina suffered a 1–3 loss to defending champions West Germany. In 1966 both again faced each other in the group stage which ended in a scoreless draw. In 2006, they met in the quarter-finals; Argentina lost on penalties after a 1–1 draw, which was followed by a brawl on the pitch involving several players. They met again at the same stage in 2010, this time ending with a 4–0 victory for Germany. They played each other for the third consecutive World Cup in the Brazil 2014 event's final, where Argentina was defeated in extra time by a score of 1–0.
Uruguay
Argentina has a long-standing rivalry with its neighbour, that came into existence from the early South American Championships, the 1928 Summer Olympics and the first World Cup final, held in 1930.
Argentina and Uruguay hold the record for most international matches played between two countries. The two teams have faced each other 197 times since 1902. The first match between Argentina and Uruguay was also the first official international match to be played outside the United Kingdom.
Mexico
Argentina has a minor rivalry with Mexico, which developed in the 1990s. The rivalry is considered one-sided as Argentines do not consider Mexico as rivals. Although the first official match between both nations came in the 1930 FIFA World Cup where Argentina beat Mexico 6–3 in the group stage, the rivalry emerged during the late twentieth century, especially after the 1993 Copa América final, where Argentina beat Mexico 2–1. That was the first time a non-CONMEBOL nation played in a Copa América final, and the first final played between both sides.
The rivalry has continued in club competitions, where Argentine and Mexicans first met in 1968 Copa Interamericana. The rivalry between both nations at club level increased during the late 1990s, when Mexican clubs were invited to participate in Copa Libertadores, where they played memorable matches against Boca Juniors.
During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, some Mexican and Argentine fans had a fight in Doha prior to the match between both sides, among great animosity. Both supporters fought again inside Lusail Stadium after the match that Argentina won 2–0, giving Argentina a chance to qualify and forcing Mexico to win against Saudi Arabia to qualify, which ended with Argentina and Poland qualifying and Mexico being eliminated alongside Saudi Arabia.
This sense of rivalry is more keenly felt by Mexican supporters and media, since Argentines do not consider Mexico rivals like Brazil, Germany, Uruguay or England.
Nigeria
A recurrent rivalry developed from the 1990s between Argentina and Nigeria, based not on geographical proximity, long-term battles for honours or factors outside football, but due to the frequency of significant matches between them. This has included five World Cup group games, all won by Argentina by a single goal margin: 2–1 in 1994, 1–0 in 2002, 1–0 in 2010, 3–2 in 2014 and 2–1 in 2018. The fixture is the most common in the competition's history involving an African nation, and has occurred in five of the six tournaments for which Nigeria has qualified. The sides also met in the 1995 King Fahd Cup (the predecessor to the Confederations Cup) as champions of their respective continents, drawing 0–0.
Below full international level, their Olympic teams also faced off in the gold medal match in 1996 (3–2 to Nigeria), and 2008 (1–0 to Argentina). The final of the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship was also played between them; both Argentina goals in their 2–1 win were scored by Lionel Messi, who would go on to find the net for the senior team in the 2014 and 2018 World Cup fixtures.
The sense of rivalry is more keenly felt on the Nigerian side, as Argentina has won almost all of their encounters, so they do not consider Nigeria a rival like Brazil, England, Uruguay or Germany, in contrast to the West Africans who remain keen to finally overcome a more illustrious foe.
Netherlands
Considered by sports media to be two historically great teams, the Argentines and Dutch have developed an intense rivalry. They have met ten times in total, including six times during the World Cup.
The two teams first met on 26 May 1974 in an international friendly, won by the Netherlands 4–1. Their most high-profile matchup occurred in the 1978 World Cup final which was won by Argentina. One of the most recent and intense meetings happened in the 2022 World Cup, a 2–2 draw where Argentina advanced on penalties, in what is known as the Battle of Lusail.
Honours
Senior team
- FIFA World Cup
- FIFA Confederations Cup
- South American Championship / Copa América
- CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions
- Champions (2): 1993, 2022 (record)
- Panamerican Championship
- Champions (1): 1960
- Runners-up (1): 1956
- Olympics Games
- Silver Medal (1): 1928
Friendly
- Newton Cup (17): 1906, 1907, 1908, 1909, 1911, 1916, 1918, 1924, 1927, 1928, 1937, 1942, 1945, 1957, 1973, 1975, 1976 (record)
- Lipton Cup (18): 1906, 1907, 1908, 1909, 1913, 1915, 1916, 1917, 1918, 1928, 1937, 1942, 1945, 1957, 1962, 1968, 1976, 1992 (record)
- Copa Premier Honor Argentino (7): 1909, 1911, 1913, 1914,1918, 1919, 1980 (record)
- Copa Centenario Revolución de Mayo (1): 1910
- Copa Premier Honor Uruguayo (5): 1915, 1916, 1917, 1923, 1924
- Copa Juan Mignaburu (5): 1935, 1936, 1938, 1940, 1943 (record)
- Copa Héctor Rivadavia Gómez (3): 1935, 1936, 1943 (record)
- Roca Cup (4): 1923, 1939, 1940, 1971 (shared)
- Superclásico de las Américas (2): 2017, 2019
- Nations' Cup (1): 1964
- Kirin Cup (2): 1992, 2003
- Copa Times of India (1): 2011
- San Juan Cup (1): 2019
Awards
- FIFA Team of the Year
- Winners (3): 2007, 2016, 2023
- FIFA World Cup Fair Play Trophy
- Winners (1): 1978
- Copa América Fair Play Trophy
- Winners (1): 2016
- Laureus World Sports Award for Team of the Year
- Winners (1): 2023
- World Soccer World Team of the Year
- Winners (2): 1986, 2022
- Gazzetta Sports World Team of the Year
- Winners (2): 1978, 1986
- Guerin Sportivo Team of the Year
- Winners (1): 1986
- AIPS Team of the Year
- Winners (2): 2022, 2023
- Unofficial Football World Championships
- Winners (64)
Chronology of titles
Host nation | Tournament | Year | No. |
---|---|---|---|
Argentina | Copa América | 1921 | 1st |
1925 | 2nd | ||
Peru | 1927 | 3rd | |
Argentina | 1929 | 4th | |
1937 | 5th | ||
Chile | 1941 | 6th | |
1945 | 7th | ||
Argentina | 1946 | 8th | |
Ecuador | 1947 | 9th | |
Chile | 1955 | 10th | |
Peru | 1957 | 11th | |
Argentina | 1959 | 12th | |
Costa Rica | Panamerican Championship | 1960 | 13th |
Argentina | World Cup | 1978 | 14th |
Mexico | 1986 | 15th | |
Chile | Copa América | 1991 | 16th |
Saudi Arabia | Confederations Cup | 1992 | 17th |
Argentina | CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions | 1993 | 18th |
Ecuador | Copa América | 1993 | 19th |
Brazil | 2021 | 20th | |
England | CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions | 2022 | 21st |
Qatar | World Cup | 2022 | 22nd |
United States | Copa América | 2024 | 23rd |
Summary
Senior competition | Total | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
World Cup | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
Copa América | 16 | 14 | 5 | 35 |
Confederations Cup | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
Panamerican Championship | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Olympics Games | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Total | 23 | 21 | 5 | 49 |
See also
In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Argentina para niños
- List of Argentina international footballers
- Argentina national under-23 football team
- Argentina national under-20 football team
- Argentina national under-17 football team
- Vamos, vamos, Argentina