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Argentina national football team facts for kids

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Argentina
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s) La Selección
(The Selection)
La Albiceleste
(The White and Sky Blue)
Association Asociación del Fútbol Argentino (AFA)
Confederation CONMEBOL (South America)
Head coach Lionel Scaloni
Captain Lionel Messi
Most caps Lionel Messi (193)
Top scorer Lionel Messi (112)
Home stadium Various
FIFA code ARG
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 11 Steady (7 February 2019)
Highest 1 (March 2007, October 2007 – June 2008, July–October 2015, April 2016 – March 2017, April 2023 –)
Lowest 24 (August 1996)
Elo ranking
Current 13 Decrease 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)
Biggest win
 Argentina 12–0 Ecuador 
(Montevideo, Uruguay; 22 January 1942)
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)
World Cup
Appearances 18 (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 3 (first in 1993)
Best result Champions (1993, 2022)
Confederations Cup
Appearances 3 (first in 1992)
Best result Champions (1992)
Medal record
FIFA World Cup
Gold 1978 Argentina Team
Gold 1986 Mexico Team
Gold 2022 Qatar Team
Silver 1930 Uruguay Team
Silver 1990 Italy Team
Silver 2014 Brazil Team
Olympic Games
Silver 1928 Amsterdam Team
Copa América
Gold 1921 Argentina Team
Gold 1925 Argentina Team
Gold 1927 Peru Team
Gold 1929 Argentina Team
Gold 1937 Argentina Team
Gold 1941 Chile Team
Gold 1945 Chile Team
Gold 1946 Argentina Team
Gold 1947 Ecuador Team
Gold 1955 Chile Team
Gold 1957 Peru Team
Gold 1959 Argentina Team
Gold 1991 Chile Team
Gold 1993 Ecuador Team
Gold 2021 Brazil Team
Gold 2024 United States Team
Silver 1916 Argentina Team
Silver 1917 Uruguay Team
Silver 1920 Chile Team
Silver 1923 Uruguay Team
Silver 1924 Uruguay Team
Silver 1926 Chile Team
Silver 1935 Peru Team
Silver 1942 Uruguay Team
Silver 1959 Ecuador Team
Silver 1967 Uruguay Team
Silver 2004 Peru Team
Silver 2007 Venezuela Team
Silver 2015 Chile Team
Silver 2016 United States Team
Bronze 1919 Brazil Team
Bronze 1956 Uruguay Team
Bronze 1963 Bolivia Team
Bronze 1989 Brazil Team
Bronze 2019 Brazil Team
FIFA Confederations Cup
Gold 1992 Saudi Arabia Team
Silver 1995 Saudi Arabia Team
Silver 2005 Germany Team
CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions
Gold 1993 Argentina Team
Gold 2022 England Team

The Argentina national football team (known in Spanish as Selección de fútbol de Argentina), also called La Albiceleste (meaning The White and Sky Blue), represents Argentina in men's international football games. The team is managed by the Asociación del Fútbol Argentino (AFA). Argentina has been a member of FIFA since 1912 and helped start CONMEBOL in 1916.

Argentina is the current world champion, having won the most recent FIFA World Cup in 2022. This was their third World Cup title. Overall, Argentina has played in a FIFA World Cup final six times. They also played in the 1928 Olympic final against Uruguay.

Argentina played in the very first World Cup final in 1930, but lost to Uruguay. Their next final was in 1978, where they won their first World Cup by beating the Netherlands 3–1. Eight years later, in 1986, with Diego Maradona as captain, Argentina won their second World Cup against West Germany. They reached the final again in 1990 but lost to West Germany.

In 2014, with Lionel Messi as captain, Argentina played in their fifth final, losing to Germany. In 2022, again led by Messi, they won their third World Cup by beating France in a penalty shootout after a 3–3 draw. The coaches who led Argentina to World Cup wins are César Luis Menotti (1978), Carlos Bilardo (1986), and Lionel Scaloni (2022).

Argentina has also been very successful in the Copa América, winning a record 16 titles, including the 2024 edition. They are the only country to win the Copa América three times in a row (1945, 1946, and 1947). Argentina also won the first FIFA Confederations Cup in 1992 and has won the CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions twice (1993 and 2022). They also won the Panamerican Championship in 1960. With 23 official titles, Argentina holds the record for most senior official titles won.

Argentine players Guillermo Stábile (1930) and Mario Kempes (1978) were the top scorers at their World Cups. Since 1982, the Golden Ball award for the best player has been won by Argentines three times: Maradona in 1986, and Messi in 2014 and 2022. Lionel Messi holds the record for most games played (193) and most goals scored (112) for Argentina. As of 2025, Argentina is ranked 1st in the FIFA Men's World Ranking.

Argentina has strong rivalries with Brazil, England, Germany, the Netherlands, Uruguay, and France.

Team History

Argentina's very first match was against Uruguay on July 20, 1902, in Montevideo. Argentina won that game 6–0. For many years, Argentina only played friendly matches against other South American teams. This was partly because travel between countries was difficult, and also due to World War I.

La Albiceleste has played in six FIFA World Cup finals. They lost the first final in 1930 to Uruguay. Argentina won their next final in 1978, beating the Netherlands 3–1. In 1986, led by Diego Maradona, Argentina won their second title against West Germany. Four years later, in 1990, Maradona again led Argentina to the final, but they lost to West Germany.

With Lionel Messi as captain, Argentina reached the final in 2014, where they lost to Germany. Argentina won their third FIFA World Cup in 2022 by beating France in a penalty shootout. The World Cup-winning coaches were César Luis Menotti (1978), Carlos Bilardo (1986), and Lionel Scaloni (2022).

Argentina has also won the Copa América 16 times, most recently in 2024. They also won the first 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 Stadiums

Monumental stadium
Estadio Monumental, a common stadium for Argentina's home games

Argentina plays most of its home games at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. This is the home stadium of River Plate. The team also uses other stadiums like Estadio Único Madre de Ciudades and Boca Juniors' stadium, La Bombonera. These stadiums, along with Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes and Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario, were used for the 2022 World Cup qualification matches.

GEBA Stadium was the first stadium Argentina used for home games. On September 13, 1908, Argentina wore their famous light blue and white-striped jersey for the first time in an official match at GEBA. This jersey has been their main uniform ever since.

Another important stadium was Estadio Sportivo Barracas, used from 1920 to 1932. In 1924, a player named Cesáreo Onzari scored a goal directly from a corner kick there. This was the first time this happened in football, and such goals are now called Olympic goals.

Team Look

Jerseys and Kits

Argentina equipo v combinadopaulista 1908
The classic light blue and white-striped jersey, first worn in an official match in 1908

When Argentina played their first official match in 1902, they wore a light blue shirt. On July 2, 1908, they first wore a white jersey with light blue vertical stripes. This striped jersey became their official kit from September 13, 1908, and they have used it ever since. The team's away kits are usually dark blue, with different colors for shorts and socks over time.

Argentina has worn special kits too. In 1919, they wore a light blue kit similar to Uruguay's to honor a Uruguayan goalkeeper who had passed away. At the 1958 World Cup, Argentina even wore the yellow jersey of a Swedish club because they didn't have their away kit with them.

Maradona vs england
Blue has always been the usual away color. In the image, Diego Maradona celebrating his goal of the century v England in 1986

At the 1986 World Cup, manager Carlos Bilardo needed lighter blue shirts for a game against England. Since their kit supplier couldn't provide them quickly, a staff member bought 38 plain shirts in Mexico City. They added a simple AFA emblem and ironed on numbers. In this makeshift jersey, Argentina beat England, with Diego Maradona scoring his famous "Hand of God goal" and another amazing goal. This shirt became very famous.

At the 2018 World Cup, Argentina used a black away kit for the first time. In the 2022 World Cup, they wore a purple away kit for the first time in a competitive match.

Kit Suppliers Over Time

Argentina historic football jerseys edited
Some of Argentina's historic jerseys on display in 2022
Kit Supplier Period
United Kingdom St. Margaret 1901–1924
Argentina Gath & Chaves 1925–1934
Argentina Industria Lanús 1958–1963
Argentina Noceto Sports 1964–1965
Argentina Sportlandia 1966
Argentina Industria Lanús 1967–1973
Germany Adidas 1974–1979
France Le Coq Sportif 1980–1989
Germany Adidas 1990–1998
United States Reebok 1999–2001
Germany Adidas 2002–present

Team Crest

Argentina Football Team Badge 1974 and 1978 (home)
The AFA emblem added to jerseys in 1976

Argentina has used the logo of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) as its team emblem. It first appeared on team jackets at the 1958 World Cup. The emblem was added to the jerseys on November 16, 1976. At first, the crest didn't have a laurel wreath, which was added for the 1982 World Cup.

Two stars were added above the crest in 2004 to show Argentina's World Cup wins in 1978 and 1986. In 2022, a third star was added after Argentina won their third World Cup.

Recent Matches

Here are the results of Argentina's matches in the last year, and upcoming games.

      Win       Draw       Loss       Fixture

2024 Matches

5 September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Argentina  3–0  Chile Buenos Aires, Argentina
21:00 ART (UTC−3)
  • Mac Allister Goal 48'
  • Alvarez Goal 84'
  • Dybala Goal 90+1'
Stadium: Más Monumental
Attendance: 52,160
Referee: Jesús Valenzuela (Venezuela)
10 September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Colombia  2–1  Argentina Barranquilla, Colombia
17:30 COT (UTC−5)
  • González Goal 48'
Stadium: Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez
Attendance: 45,000
Referee: Piero Maza (Chile)
10 October 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Venezuela  1–1  Argentina Maturín, Venezuela
17:00 VEN (UTC−4)
  • Rondón Goal 65'
Stadium: Estadio Monumental
Attendance: 50,000
Referee: Gustavo Tejera (Uruguay)
15 October 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Argentina  6–0  Bolivia Buenos Aires, Argentina
21:00 ARG (UTC−3)
Stadium: Más Monumental
Attendance: 60,000
Referee: Kevin Ortega (Peru)
14 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Paraguay  2–1  Argentina Asunción, Paraguay
20:30 PAR (UTC−3)
  • Sanabria Goal 19'
  • Alderete Goal 47'
Stadium: Estadio Defensores del Chaco
Attendance: 32,200
Referee: Anderson Daronco (Brazil)
19 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Argentina  1–0  Peru Buenos Aires, Argentina
21:45 ARG (UTC−3) Stadium: La Bombonera
Attendance: 52,000
Referee: Wilmar Roldán (Colombia)

2025 Matches

21 March 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Uruguay  0–1  Argentina Montevideo, Uruguay
20:30 URU (UTC−3)
Stadium: Estadio Centenario
Attendance: 55,000
Referee: Juan Gabriel Benítez (Paraguay)
25 March 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Argentina  4–1  Brazil Buenos Aires, Argentina
21:00 ARG (UTC−3)
  • Alvarez Goal 4'
  • Fernández Goal 12'
  • Mac Allister Goal 37'
  • Simeone Goal 71'
  • Cunha Goal 26'
Stadium: Estadio Monumental
Attendance: 85,015
Referee: Andrés Rojas (Colombia)
5 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Chile  0–1  Argentina Santiago, Chile
21:00 CHI (UTC−4)
  • Alvarez Goal 16'
Stadium: Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos
Attendance: 45,000
Referee: Jesús Valenzuela (Venezuela)
10 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Argentina  1–1  Colombia Buenos Aires, Argentina
21:00 ARG (UTC−3)
  • Diaz Goal 24'
Stadium: Estadio Monumental
Attendance: 77,791
Referee: Juan Gabriel Benítez (Paraguay)
4 September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Argentina  v  Venezuela Buenos Aires, Argentina
20:30 ARG (UTC−3) Stadium: Estadio Monumental
9 September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Ecuador  v  Argentina Guayaquil, Ecuador
18:00 ECU (UTC−5) Stadium: Estadio Monumental Isidro Romero Carbo
October Friendly Argentina  v  Uzbekistan China
October Friendly China  v  Argentina Guangzhou, China
--:-- CHN (UTC+8) Stadium: Guangdong Olympic Stadium

2026 Matches

March Friendly Singapore  v  Argentina Kallang, Singapore
--:-- Stadium: Singapore National Stadium
March 2026 Finalissima Argentina  v  Spain TBD
--:-- Stadium: TBD

Coaching Staff

Lionel Scaloni 2022 vs Colombia
Lionel Scaloni, Argentina's current head coach
Position Name
Head coach Argentina Lionel Scaloni
Assistant coach Argentina Pablo Aimar
Argentina Roberto Ayala
Argentina Walter Samuel
Goalkeeping coach Argentina Martín Tocalli
Fitness coach Argentina Luis Martín
Video analyst Argentina Matías Manna
Team coordinator Argentina Nicolás Russo
Academy manager Argentina Bernardo Romeo
Base camp coordinator Argentina Oscar Dertycia
Goalkeeping coordinator Argentina Mauro Dobler

Current Players

Team Roster

The players listed below were chosen for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying games against Chile and Colombia in June 2025.

Caps (games played) and goals are correct as of June 10, 2025, after the match against Colombia.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Walter Benítez (1993-01-19) 19 January 1993 (age 32) 1 0 England Crystal Palace
12 1GK Gerónimo Rulli (1992-05-20) 20 May 1992 (age 33) 6 0 France Marseille
23 1GK Emiliano Martínez (1992-09-02) 2 September 1992 (age 32) 53 0 England Aston Villa

2 2DF Juan Foyth (1998-01-12) 12 January 1998 (age 27) 20 0 Spain Villarreal
3 2DF Valentín Barco (2004-07-23) 23 July 2004 (age 21) 2 0 France Strasbourg
4 2DF Facundo Medina (1999-05-28) 28 May 1999 (age 26) 7 0 France Marseille
6 2DF Leonardo Balerdi (1999-01-26) 26 January 1999 (age 26) 8 0 France Marseille
13 2DF Cristian Romero (1998-04-27) 27 April 1998 (age 27) 44 3 England Tottenham Hotspur
16 2DF Nahuel Molina (1998-04-06) 6 April 1998 (age 27) 52 1 Spain Atlético Madrid
19 2DF Nicolás Otamendi (vice-captain) (1988-02-12) 12 February 1988 (age 37) 126 7 Portugal Benfica

5 3MF Leandro Paredes (1994-06-29) 29 June 1994 (age 31) 73 5 Argentina Boca Juniors
7 3MF Rodrigo De Paul (1994-05-24) 24 May 1994 (age 31) 78 2 Spain Atlético Madrid
8 3MF Enzo Fernández (2001-01-17) 17 January 2001 (age 24) 37 5 England Chelsea
11 3MF Thiago Almada (2001-04-26) 26 April 2001 (age 24) 10 4 Spain Atlético Madrid
14 3MF Exequiel Palacios (1998-10-05) 5 October 1998 (age 26) 36 0 Germany Bayer Leverkusen
18 3MF Nico Paz (2004-09-08) 8 September 2004 (age 20) 3 0 Italy Como
20 3MF Franco Mastantuono (2007-08-14) 14 August 2007 (age 17) 1 0 Spain Real Madrid

9 4FW Julián Alvarez (2000-01-31) 31 January 2000 (age 25) 46 13 Spain Atlético Madrid
10 4FW Lionel Messi (captain) (1987-06-24) 24 June 1987 (age 38) 193 112 United States Inter Miami
15 4FW Nicolás González (1998-04-06) 6 April 1998 (age 27) 43 6 Italy Juventus
17 4FW Giuliano Simeone (2002-12-18) 18 December 2002 (age 22) 5 1 Spain Atlético Madrid
21 4FW Ángel Correa (1995-03-09) 9 March 1995 (age 30) 28 3 Mexico UANL
22 4FW Lautaro Martínez (1997-08-22) 22 August 1997 (age 27) 70 32 Italy Internazionale

Other Players Called Up Recently

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 Juan Musso (1994-05-06) 6 May 1994 (age 31) 2 0 Spain Atlético Madrid v.  Bolivia, 15 October 2024

DF Nicolás Tagliafico (1992-08-31) 31 August 1992 (age 32) 70 1 France Lyon v.  Chile, 5 June 2025 SUS
DF Kevin Lomónaco (2002-01-08) 8 January 2002 (age 23) 0 0 Argentina Independiente v.  Chile, 5 June 2025
DF Mariano Troilo (2003-06-22) 22 June 2003 (age 22) 0 0 Argentina Belgrano v.  Chile, 5 June 2025
DF Germán Pezzella (1991-06-27) 27 June 1991 (age 34) 42 3 Argentina River Plate v.  Brazil, 25 March 2025
DF Gonzalo Montiel (1997-01-01) 1 January 1997 (age 28) 36 1 Argentina River Plate v.  Uruguay, 21 March 2025 INJ
DF Nehuén Pérez (2000-06-24) 24 June 2000 (age 25) 3 0 Portugal Porto v.  Peru, 19 November 2024
DF Francisco Ortega (1999-03-19) 19 March 1999 (age 26) 0 0 Greece Olympiacos v.  Peru, 19 November 2024
DF Lisandro Martínez (1998-01-18) 18 January 1998 (age 27) 26 1 England Manchester United v.  Paraguay, 14 November 2024 INJ
DF Julio Soler (2005-02-16) 16 February 2005 (age 20) 0 0 England Bournemouth v.  Bolivia, 15 October 2024
DF Marcos Acuña (1991-10-28) 28 October 1991 (age 33) 61 0 Argentina River Plate v.  Venezuela, 10 October 2024 INJ

MF Giovani Lo Celso (1996-04-09) 9 April 1996 (age 29) 61 3 Spain Real Betis v.  Chile, 5 June 2025 INJ
MF Emiliano Buendía (1996-12-25) 25 December 1996 (age 28) 1 0 England Aston Villa v.  Chile, 5 June 2025
MF Enzo Barrenechea (2001-05-11) 11 May 2001 (age 24) 0 0 Portugal Benfica v.  Chile, 5 June 2025
MF Alexis Mac Allister (1998-12-24) 24 December 1998 (age 26) 38 4 England Liverpool v.  Brazil, 25 March 2025 INJ
MF Máximo Perrone (2003-01-07) 7 January 2003 (age 22) 0 0 Italy Como v.  Brazil, 25 March 2025
MF Alejandro Garnacho (2004-07-01) 1 July 2004 (age 21) 8 0 England Manchester United v.  Peru, 19 November 2024
MF Facundo Buonanotte (2004-12-23) 23 December 2004 (age 20) 2 0 England Brighton & Hove Albion v.  Peru, 19 November 2024
MF Guido Rodríguez (1994-04-12) 12 April 1994 (age 31) 30 1 England West Ham United v.  Colombia, 10 September 2024
MF Equi Fernández (2002-07-25) 25 July 2002 (age 23) 0 0 Saudi Arabia Al-Qadsiah v.  Colombia, 10 September 2024

FW Santiago Castro (2004-09-18) 18 September 2004 (age 20) 0 0 Italy Bologna v.  Brazil, 25 March 2025
FW Benjamín Domínguez (2003-09-19) 19 September 2003 (age 21) 0 0 Italy Bologna v.  Brazil, 25 March 2025
FW Paulo Dybala (1993-11-15) 15 November 1993 (age 31) 40 4 Italy Roma v.  Uruguay, 21 March 2025 INJ
FW Valentín Castellanos (1998-10-03) 3 October 1998 (age 26) 2 0 Italy Lazio v.  Peru, 19 November 2024
FW Valentín Carboni (2005-03-05) 5 March 2005 (age 20) 3 0 Italy Genoa v.  Venezuela, 10 October 2024 INJ
FW Matías Soulé (2003-04-15) 15 April 2003 (age 22) 0 0 Italy Roma v.  Colombia, 10 September 2024

Notes
  • RET = Retired from the national team.
  • INJ = Withdrew due to injury.

Player Records and Achievements

Players in bold are still playing for Argentina.

Most Games Played

Argentina national football team records and statistics

Top Goal Scorers

Argentina national football team records and statistics

World Cup Winning Captains

World Cup winning captains of Argentina
Daniel Passarella in 1978
Diego Maradona in 1986
Lionel Messi in 2022
Year Player Games Played Goals Scored
1978 Daniel Passarella 70 22
1986 Diego Maradona 91 34
2022 Lionel Messi 193 112

Team Performance in Competitions

Argentina national football team records and statistics

Head-to-Head Records

Argentina national football team records and statistics

Team Rivalries

Argentina vs. Brazil

Argentina and Brazil have a very strong rivalry, one of the oldest in South America. Their matches are often exciting and sometimes controversial. This rivalry is even called the "Battle of the Americas." FIFA has described it as the "essence of football rivalry."

The rivalry also includes debates about who is better: Pelé (Brazil) or Diego Maradona (Argentina). In modern football, the main players compared are Neymar (Brazil) and Lionel Messi (Argentina). Both Pelé and Maradona have said that Neymar and Messi are their "successors."

Argentina vs. England

The rivalry between Argentina and England started at the 1966 World Cup and became even stronger after the Falklands War in 1982. They have played many important games in World Cup tournaments. One famous match was the quarter-final in 1986, where Diego Maradona scored two goals. One was the famous "Hand of God goal" (a handball that was allowed), and the other was a brilliant goal where he dribbled past five English players.

They met again in the 1998 World Cup (Argentina won on penalties) and in the 2002 World Cup group stage (England won 1–0).

Argentina vs. Germany

Maradona and Rummenigge
Diego Maradona and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge before the 1986 World Cup final between Argentina and West Germany

Argentina has played Germany seven times in the FIFA World Cup, including three World Cup finals. In 1986, Argentina won 3–2. However, in 1990 and 2014, Germany won both finals 1–0.

Their first World Cup meeting was in 1958, where Argentina lost to West Germany. In 1966, they drew 0–0. In 2006, they met in the quarter-finals, and Argentina lost on penalties. They met again at the same stage in 2010, with Germany winning 4–0. Their third straight World Cup meeting was the final in Brazil 2014, where Germany won in extra time.

Argentina vs. Uruguay

Argentina has a long-standing rivalry with its neighbor, Uruguay. This rivalry began with early South American Championships, the 1928 Summer Olympics, and the first World Cup final in 1930.

Argentina and Uruguay have played the most international matches between any two countries, facing each other 197 times since 1902. Their first match was also the first official international football game played outside the United Kingdom.

Argentina vs. Netherlands

Sports media considers Argentina and the Netherlands to be two historically great teams, and they have a strong rivalry. They have played ten times in total, including six times in the World Cup.

Their first match was a friendly in 1974, which the Netherlands won 4–1. Their most important game was the 1978 World Cup final, which Argentina won. One of their most recent and intense matches was at the 2022 World Cup, a 2–2 draw where Argentina won on penalties. This game is known as the Battle of Lusail.

Argentina vs. Mexico

Argentina has a smaller rivalry with Mexico, which grew in the 1990s. Argentines generally don't see Mexico as a major rival like Brazil or Germany. Their first official match was at the 1930 World Cup, where Argentina beat Mexico 6–3. The rivalry became more noticeable after the 1993 Copa América final, which Argentina won 2–1. This was the first time a non-CONMEBOL team played in a Copa América final.

The rivalry has also appeared in club competitions, especially when Mexican clubs played in the Copa Libertadores against Argentine teams like Boca Juniors. During the 2022 World Cup, there were some fights between Mexican and Argentine fans before and after their match in Doha.

Team Honors

Worldwide Titles

Intercontinental Titles

  • CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions
    • 1 Champions (2): 1993, 2022 (record)

Continental Titles

  • Copa América
    • 1 Champions (16): 1921, 1925, 1927, 1929, 1937, 1941, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1955, 1957, 1959, 1991, 1993, 2021, 2024 (record)
    • 2 Runners-up (14): 1916, 1917, 1920, 1923, 1924, 1926, 1935, 1942, 1959, 1967, 2004, 2007, 2015, 2016
    • 3 Third place (5): 1919, 1956, 1963, 1989, 2019
  • Panamerican Championship1
    • 1 Champions (1): 1960
    • 2 Runners-up (1): 1956

Friendly Competition Wins

  • 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, 1920 (record)
  • Copa Centenario Revolución de Mayo (1): 1910
  • Copa Premier Honor Uruguayo (5): 1915, 1916, 1917, 1923, 1924
  • Roca Cup (4): 1923, 1939, 1940, 1971 (shared)
  • Copa Juan Mignaburu (5): 1935, 1936, 1938, 1940, 1943 (record)
  • Copa Héctor Rivadavia Gómez (3): 1935, 1936, 1943 (record)
  • Nations' Cup (1): 1964
  • Kirin Cup (2): 1992, 2003
  • Copa Times of India (1): 2011
  • Superclásico de las Américas (2): 2017, 2019
  • San Juan Cup (1): 2019

Awards and Recognitions

  • FIFA Team of the Year (4): 2007, 2016, 2023, 2024
  • Laureus World Sports Award for Team of the Year (1): 2023
  • World Soccer World Team of the Year (2): 1986, 2022
  • Gazzetta Sports World Team of the Year (2): 1978, 1986
  • Guerin Sportivo Team of the Year (1): 1986
  • FIFA World Cup Fair Play Trophy (1): 1978
  • Copa America Fair Play Award (1): 2016
  • AIPS Team of the Year (2): 2022, 2023

Timeline of Major Titles

Host Nation Tournament Year Number
Argentina Argentina Copa América 1921 1st
1925 2nd
Peru Peru 1927 3rd
Argentina Argentina 1929 4th
1937 5th
Chile Chile 1941 6th
1945 7th
Argentina Argentina 1946 8th
Ecuador Ecuador 1947 9th
Chile Chile 1955 10th
Peru Peru 1957 11th
Argentina Argentina 1959 12th
Costa Rica Costa Rica Panamerican Championship 1960 13th
Argentina Argentina World Cup 1978 14th
Mexico Mexico 1986 15th
Chile Chile Copa América 1991 16th
Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia Confederations Cup 1992 17th
Argentina Argentina CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions 1993 18th
Ecuador Ecuador Copa América 1993 19th
Brazil Brazil 2021 20th
England England CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions 2022 21st
Qatar Qatar World Cup 2022 22nd
United States United States Copa América 2024 23rd

Summary of Major Titles

Senior Competition 1 2 3 Total
FIFA World Cup 3 3 0 6
FIFA Confederations Cup 1 2 0 3
Olympic Games 0 1 0 1
CONMEBOL Copa América 16 14 5 35
Panamerican Championship1 1 1 0 2
CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions 2 0 0 2
Total 23 21 5 49
Notes
  1. Official senior competition organized by PFC. This was a group of football associations from North, Central, and South America.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Argentina para niños

  • List of Argentina international footballers
  • List of Argentina national football team managers
  • Argentina national under-23 football team
  • Argentina national under-20 football team
  • Argentina national under-17 football team
  • Argentina national under-15 football team
  • Vamos, vamos, Argentina
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