Argentina national football team

Men's association football team From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Argentina national football team,[B] nicknamed la Albiceleste, [C] represents Argentina in men's international football and is administered by the Argentine Football Association, the governing body of football in Argentina. It has been a member of FIFA since 1912 and was a founding member of CONMEBOL in 1916. It was also a member of PFC, the unified confederation of the Americas, from 1946 to 1961. Argentina is the current FIFA World Cup champion, having won the most recent World Cup in 2022. The team previously won the World Cup in 1978 and 1986, and has appeared in the World Cup final a total of six times.

Nickname(s)La Selección
(The Selection)
La Albiceleste [1]
(The White and Sky Blue)[2]
AssociationAsociación del Fútbol Argentino (AFA)
ConfederationCONMEBOL (South America)
Head coachLionel Scaloni
Quick facts Nickname(s), Association ...
Argentina
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)La Selección
(The Selection)
La Albiceleste [1]
(The White and Sky Blue)[2]
AssociationAsociación del Fútbol Argentino (AFA)
ConfederationCONMEBOL (South America)
Head coachLionel Scaloni
CaptainLionel Messi
Most capsLionel Messi (198)
Top scorerLionel Messi (116)
Home stadiumVarious
FIFA codeARG
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 3 Decrease 1 (1 April 2026)[3]
Highest1 [a]
Lowest24 (August 1996)
First international
 Uruguay 0–6 Argentina 
(Montevideo, Uruguay; 20 July 1902)[A]
Biggest win
 Argentina 12–0 Ecuador 
(Montevideo, Uruguay; 22 January 1942)
Biggest defeat
 Czechoslovakia 6–1 Argentina 
(Helsingborg, Sweden; 15 June 1958)
Colombia  5–0  Argentina
(Buenos Aires, Argentina; 5 September 1993)
 Bolivia 6–1 Argentina 
(La Paz, Bolivia; 1 April 2009)[8]
 Spain 6–1 Argentina 
(Madrid, Spain; 27 March 2018)[9]
World Cup
Appearances19 (first in 1930 )
Best resultChampions (1978, 1986, 2022)
Copa América
Appearances44 (first in 1916 )
Best resultChampions (1921, 1925, 1927, 1929, 1937, 1941, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1955, 1957, 1959, 1991, 1993, 2021, 2024)
Panamerican Championship
Appearances2 (first in 1956 )
Best resultChampions (1960)
CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions
Appearances3 (first in 1993 )
Best resultChampions (1993, 2022)
Confederations Cup
Appearances3 (first in 1992 )
Best resultChampions (1992)
Medal record
FIFA World Cup
Gold medal – first place1978 ArgentinaTeam
Gold medal – first place1986 MexicoTeam
Gold medal – first place2022 QatarTeam
Silver medal – second place1930 UruguayTeam
Silver medal – second place1990 ItalyTeam
Silver medal – second place2014 BrazilTeam
Olympic Games[note 1]
Silver medal – second place1928 AmsterdamTeam
FIFA Confederations Cup
Gold medal – first place1992 Saudi ArabiaTeam
Silver medal – second place1995 Saudi ArabiaTeam
Silver medal – second place2005 GermanyTeam
Copa América
Gold medal – first place1921 ArgentinaTeam
Gold medal – first place1925 ArgentinaTeam
Gold medal – first place1927 PeruTeam
Gold medal – first place1929 ArgentinaTeam
Gold medal – first place1937 ArgentinaTeam
Gold medal – first place1941 ChileTeam
Gold medal – first place1945 ChileTeam
Gold medal – first place1946 ArgentinaTeam
Gold medal – first place1947 EcuadorTeam
Gold medal – first place1955 ChileTeam
Gold medal – first place1957 PeruTeam
Gold medal – first place1959 ArgentinaTeam
Gold medal – first place1991 ChileTeam
Gold medal – first place1993 EcuadorTeam
Gold medal – first place2021 BrazilTeam
Gold medal – first place2024 United StatesTeam
Silver medal – second place1916 ArgentinaTeam
Silver medal – second place1917 UruguayTeam
Silver medal – second place1920 ChileTeam
Silver medal – second place1923 UruguayTeam
Silver medal – second place1924 UruguayTeam
Silver medal – second place1926 ChileTeam
Silver medal – second place1935 PeruTeam
Silver medal – second place1942 UruguayTeam
Silver medal – second place1959 EcuadorTeam
Silver medal – second place1967 UruguayTeam
Silver medal – second place2004 PeruTeam
Silver medal – second place2007 VenezuelaTeam
Silver medal – second place2015 ChileTeam
Silver medal – second place2016 United StatesTeam
Bronze medal – third place1919 BrazilTeam
Bronze medal – third place1956 UruguayTeam
Bronze medal – third place1963 BoliviaTeam
Bronze medal – third place1989 BrazilTeam
Bronze medal – third place2019 BrazilTeam
Panamerican Championship
Gold medal – first place1960 Costa RicaTeam
Silver medal – second place1956 MexicoTeam
CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions
Gold medal – first place1993 ArgentinaTeam
Gold medal – first place2022 EnglandTeam
Websiteafa.com.ar/seleccion-mayor
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Argentina has won the Copa América a record 16 times, most recently in 2024. With victories in 1945, 1946 and 1947, it is the only nation to win the tournament three consecutive times. Argentina won the Panamerican Championship in 1960, the inaugural FIFA Confederations Cup in 1992, and the CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions in 1993 and 2022. Argentina holds the record for most official international titles, with 23.[D] Argentina players have won the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball three times: Diego Maradona in 1986, and Lionel Messi in 2014 and 2022. Messi has the most appearances for the team (198) and has scored the most goals (116). As of 5 May 2026, Argentina ranks 3rd in the FIFA Men's World Ranking. Argentina is known for having rivalries with Brazil, England, France,[16] Germany, the Netherlands and Uruguay.

History

Main article: History of the Argentina national football team
Further information: Football in Argentina

The first ever match Argentina played was against Uruguay on 20 June 1902, in Montevideo.[note 2] It was the first international match for both sides, and Argentina won 6–0.[4][7] During the first years of Argentina's existence, the team only played friendly matches against other South American teams. The reasons for this varied, including long travel times between countries and the outbreak of World War I.[18]

Argentina has appeared in the FIFA World Cup final 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. In 1986, Diego Maradona led Argentina to their second title with a 3–2 victory over West Germany. Maradona led Argentina to the final again in 1990, but the team lost 1–0 to West Germany by a much-disputed penalty. With Lionel Messi as captain, Argentina reached the final in 2014, where they were defeated 1–0 by Germany in extra time. Argentina won their third FIFA World Cup in 2022 by defeating France in a penalty shoot-out, after a 3–3 draw.[19] Argentina's World Cup-winning managers are César Luis Menotti (1978), Carlos Bilardo (1986) and Lionel Scaloni (2022).

Argentina has won the Copa América 16 times, 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.[20]

Stadiums

Argentina plays most of its home matches at Estadio Monumental, the stadium of Club Atlético River Plate in Buenos Aires.[21][22] The team frequently uses other venues as well, including Estadio Único Madre de Ciudades[23][24] and La Bombonera.[24] GEBA Stadium was the first stadium Argentina used for home matches, including the Copa Newton match against Uruguay on 13 September 1908.[25] The 1908 match marked the official debut of Argentina's white and light blue striped jersey, which has been the team's defining uniform up to the present day.[26] GEBA was also used for the Copa Centenario Revolución de Mayo, which was organised by the Argentine Football Association (AFA) in 1910. It was the first competition between South American national teams, and is considered the predecessor of the Copa América.[27]

Estadio Sportivo Barracas was often used by Argentina from 1920 to 1932. Playing in the stadium on 2 October 1924, Argentina forward Cesáreo Onzari scored directly from a corner kick, the first reported instance of this feat in football. Because Uruguay had recently won the gold medal at the 1924 Olympics, this type of goal is now often referred to as an Olimpico goal.[E]

Team image

Kit

The classic light blue and white-striped jersey first worn on 2 July 1908 in a friendly match in São Paulo
Wikimedia Commons logo
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Argentina national football team kits.

The first kit ever worn by Argentina, in their official debut against Uruguay in 1902, included a light blue shirt.[31][32] 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;[33] they used the jersey in an official match against Uruguay on 13 September 1908, and the striped jersey has remained as the definitive kit for Argentina ever since then.[26] The team's away kits have been in dark blue shades, with the colours of shorts and socks varying from time to time.[34]

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;[35][36] the match 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.

Diego Maradona, wearing Argentina's customary blue kit, celebrates his "Goal of the Century" against England in 1986

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[37] and silvery American football numbers ironed to the backs.[38]

Sporting the makeshift jerseys, Argentina beat England on 22 June, with Diego Maradona scoring his famous "Hand of God goal".[39][40] Afterwards, the shirt became a symbol of the occasion and an important collector's item.[41]

At the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Argentina debuted a black away kit;[42] and at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, they wore a purple away kit in a competitive match for the first time.[43][44]

Kit suppliers

More information Kit supplier, Period ...
Kit supplier Period Ref.
United Kingdom St. Margaret1901–1924[45]
Argentina Gath & Chaves1925–1934[45][46]
(no data for the 1935–1957 period)
Argentina Industria Lanús1958–1963[47][45]
Argentina Noceto Sports1964–1965[48][49][45]
Argentina Sportlandia1966[50][45]
Argentina Industria Lanús1967–1973[50][45]
Germany Adidas1974–1979[46][51]
France Le Coq Sportif1980–1989[46][52]
Germany Adidas1990–1998[51][53]
United States Reebok1999–2001[54]
Germany Adidas2002–present[51]
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Crest

The AFA emblem that was added to playing kits in 1976

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.[37] 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,[55] which was first added for the 1982 World Cup.[37]

As a respected and common practice,[56] two stars were added above the crest in 2004, symbolising Argentina's World Cup titles in 1978 and 1986.[55] In 2022, a third star was added after Argentina were crowned world champions for the third time.[57]

Results and fixtures

Main article: Argentina national football team results (2020–present)

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

2025

10 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Argentina  1–1  Colombia Buenos Aires, Argentina
21:00 ARG (UTC−3)
Report
Stadium: Estadio Monumental
Attendance: 77,791
Referee: Juan Gabriel Benítez (Paraguay)
4 September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Argentina  3–0  Venezuela Buenos Aires, Argentina
20:30 ARG (UTC−3)
Report Stadium: Estadio Monumental
Attendance: 76,490
Referee: Piero Maza (Chile)
9 September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Ecuador  1–0  Argentina Guayaquil, Ecuador
18:00 ECU (UTC−5)
Report Stadium: Estadio Monumental Isidro Romero Carbo
Referee: Wilmar Roldán (Colombia)
10 October Friendly Argentina  1–0  Venezuela Miami Gardens, Florida, United States
20:00 EDT (UTC−4)
Report Stadium: Hard Rock Stadium
Referee: Tori Penso (United States)
14 October Friendly Puerto Rico  0–6  Argentina Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States[58]
18:00 EDT (UTC−4) Report
Stadium: Chase Stadium[b]
Referee: Armando Villarreal (United States)[59]
14 November Friendly Angola  0–2  Argentina Luanda, Angola
17:00 WAT (UTC+1) Report
Stadium: Estádio 11 de Novembro
Referee: Hillary Hambaba (Zambia)

2026

27 March Friendly Argentina  2–1  Mauritania Buenos Aires, Argentina
20:15 ARG (UTC–3)
Report
Stadium: La Bombonera
Attendance: 45,760
Referee: Derlis López (Paraguay)
31 March Friendly Argentina  5–0  Zambia Buenos Aires, Argentina
20:30 ARG (UTC–3)
Report Stadium: La Bombonera
Attendance: 50,000
Referee: Alexis Herrera (Venezuela)
6 June Friendly Argentina  2–0  Honduras College Station, Texas, United States
19:00 CDT (UTC−5)
Report Stadium: Kyle Field
Attendance: 91,000
Referee: Victor Rivas (United States)
9 June Friendly Argentina  v  Iceland Auburn, Alabama, United States
19:30 CDT (UTC−5) Report Stadium: Jordan–Hare Stadium
16 June 2026 FIFA World Cup Group J Argentina  v  Algeria Kansas City, Missouri, United States
20:00 CDT (UTC−5) Report Stadium: Arrowhead Stadium
22 June 2026 FIFA World Cup Group J Argentina  v  Austria Arlington, Texas, United States
12:00 CDT (UTC−5) Report Stadium: AT&T Stadium
27 June 2026 FIFA World Cup Group J Jordan  v  Argentina Arlington, Texas, United States
21:00 CDT (UTC−5) Report Stadium: AT&T Stadium

Coaching staff

Main article: List of Argentina national football team managers
More information Position, Name ...
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
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Players

See also: List of Argentina international footballers

Current squad

The following 26 players were called up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and for the pre-tournament friendly matches against Honduras and Iceland on 6 and 9 June 2026, respectively.[60] Leonardo Balerdi withdrew due to a calf injury on 6 June.[61] Players with squad numbers from 27 onwards have also been picked for the pre-tournament friendly matches and were originally named in the preliminary squad.
Caps and goals are correct as of 6 June 2026, after the match against Honduras.

More information No., Pos. ...
No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Juan Musso (1994-05-06) 6 May 1994 (age 32) 4 0 Royal Spanish Football Federation Atlético Madrid
12 1GK Gerónimo Rulli (1992-05-20) 20 May 1992 (age 34) 7 0 French Football Federation Marseille
23 1GK Emiliano Martínez (1992-09-02) 2 September 1992 (age 33) 59 0 The Football Association Aston Villa
27 1GK Santiago Beltrán (2004-10-04) 4 October 2004 (age 21) 1 0 Argentine Football Association River Plate
3 2DF Nicolás Tagliafico (1992-08-31) 31 August 1992 (age 33) 76 1 French Football Federation Lyon
4 2DF Gonzalo Montiel (1997-01-01) 1 January 1997 (age 29) 38 2 Argentine Football Association River Plate
6 2DF Lisandro Martínez (1998-01-18) 18 January 1998 (age 28) 27 1 The Football Association Manchester United
13 2DF Cristian Romero (1998-04-27) 27 April 1998 (age 28) 50 3 The Football Association Tottenham Hotspur
19 2DF Nicolás Otamendi (1988-02-12) 12 February 1988 (age 38) 131 8 Portuguese Football Federation Benfica
25 2DF Facundo Medina (1999-05-28) 28 May 1999 (age 27) 8 0 French Football Federation Marseille
26 2DF Nahuel Molina (1998-04-06) 6 April 1998 (age 28) 58 1 Royal Spanish Football Federation Atlético Madrid
28 2DF Agustín Giay (2004-01-16) 16 January 2004 (age 22) 2 0 Brazilian Football Confederation Palmeiras
29 2DF Nicolás Capaldo (1998-09-14) 14 September 1998 (age 27) 1 0 German Football Association Hamburger SV
30 2DF Ignacio Ovando (2007-06-29) 29 June 2007 (age 18) 0 0 Argentine Football Association Rosario Central
31 2DF Simón Escobar (2009-07-17) 17 July 2009 (age 16) 0 0 Argentine Football Association Vélez Sarsfield
5 3MF Leandro Paredes (1994-06-29) 29 June 1994 (age 31) 77 5 Argentine Football Association Boca Juniors
7 3MF Rodrigo De Paul (1994-05-24) 24 May 1994 (age 32) 86 2 United States Soccer Federation Inter Miami
8 2DF Valentín Barco (2004-07-23) 23 July 2004 (age 21) 3 1 French Football Federation Strasbourg
11 3MF Giovani Lo Celso (1996-04-09) 9 April 1996 (age 30) 66 4 Royal Spanish Football Federation Betis
14 3MF Exequiel Palacios (1998-10-05) 5 October 1998 (age 27) 39 0 German Football Association Bayer Leverkusen
16 3MF Thiago Almada (2001-04-26) 26 April 2001 (age 25) 15 4 Royal Spanish Football Federation Atlético Madrid
18 3MF Nico Paz (2004-09-08) 8 September 2004 (age 21) 8 1 Italian Football Federation Como
20 3MF Alexis Mac Allister (1998-12-24) 24 December 1998 (age 27) 45 6 The Football Association Liverpool
24 3MF Enzo Fernández (2001-01-17) 17 January 2001 (age 25) 41 6 The Football Association Chelsea
9 4FW Julián Alvarez (2000-01-31) 31 January 2000 (age 26) 51 14 Royal Spanish Football Federation Atlético Madrid
10 4FW Lionel Messi (Captain) (1987-06-24) 24 June 1987 (age 38) 198 116 United States Soccer Federation Inter Miami
15 4FW Nicolás González (1998-04-06) 6 April 1998 (age 28) 50 6 Royal Spanish Football Federation Atlético Madrid
17 4FW Giuliano Simeone (2002-12-18) 18 December 2002 (age 23) 12 2 Royal Spanish Football Federation Atlético Madrid
21 4FW José Manuel López (2000-12-06) 6 December 2000 (age 25) 3 0 Brazilian Football Confederation Palmeiras
22 4FW Lautaro Martínez (1997-08-22) 22 August 1997 (age 28) 76 37 Italian Football Federation Internazionale
32 4FW Tomás Aranda (2007-05-09) 9 May 2007 (age 19) 1 0 Argentine Football Association Boca Juniors
34 4FW Joaquín Freitas (2006-12-02) 2 December 2006 (age 19) 1 0 Argentine Football Association River Plate
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Recent call-ups

The following players have also been called up for the team in the last twelve months.

More information Pos., Player ...
Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Walter Benítez (1993-01-19) 19 January 1993 (age 33) 1 0 England Crystal Palace 2026 FIFA World Cup PRE
GK Facundo Cambeses (1997-04-09) 9 April 1997 (age 29) 1 0 Argentina Racing 2026 FIFA World Cup PRE
DF Leonardo Balerdi (1999-01-26) 26 January 1999 (age 27) 11 0 France Marseille 2026 FIFA World Cup INJ
DF Marcos Acuña (1991-10-28) 28 October 1991 (age 34) 62 0 Argentina River Plate 2026 FIFA World Cup PRE
DF Germán Pezzella (1991-06-27) 27 June 1991 (age 34) 42 3 Argentina River Plate 2026 FIFA World Cup PRE
DF Lucas Martínez Quarta (1996-05-10) 10 May 1996 (age 30) 16 0 Argentina River Plate 2026 FIFA World Cup PRE
DF Marcos Senesi (1997-05-10) 10 May 1997 (age 29) 3 0 England Bournemouth 2026 FIFA World Cup PRE
DF Kevin Mac Allister (1997-11-07) 7 November 1997 (age 28) 1 0 Belgium Union Saint-Gilloise 2026 FIFA World Cup PRE
DF Gabriel Rojas (1997-06-22) 22 June 1997 (age 28) 1 0 Argentina Racing 2026 FIFA World Cup PRE
DF Lautaro Di Lollo (2004-03-10) 10 March 2004 (age 22) 0 0 Argentina Boca Juniors 2026 FIFA World Cup PRE
DF Zaid Romero (1999-12-15) 15 December 1999 (age 26) 0 0 Spain Getafe 2026 FIFA World Cup PRE
DF Tomás Palacios (2003-04-28) 28 April 2003 (age 23) 0 0 Argentina Estudiantes v.  Zambia, 31 March 2026
DF Juan Foyth (1998-01-12) 12 January 1998 (age 28) 22 0 Spain Villarreal v.  Angola, 14 November 2025
DF Lautaro Rivero (2003-11-01) 1 November 2003 (age 22) 1 0 Argentina River Plate v.  Puerto Rico, 14 October 2025
DF Julio Soler (2005-02-16) 16 February 2005 (age 21) 0 0 England Bournemouth v.  Ecuador, 9 September 2025
MF Guido Rodríguez (1994-04-12) 12 April 1994 (age 32) 30 1 Spain Valencia 2026 FIFA World Cup PRE
MF Nicolás Domínguez (1998-06-28) 28 June 1998 (age 27) 11 1 England Nottingham Forest 2026 FIFA World Cup PRE
MF Emiliano Buendía (1996-12-25) 25 December 1996 (age 29) 2 0 England Aston Villa 2026 FIFA World Cup PRE
MF Máximo Perrone (2003-01-07) 7 January 2003 (age 23) 2 0 Italy Como 2026 FIFA World Cup PRE
MF Aníbal Moreno (1999-05-13) 13 May 1999 (age 27) 1 0 Argentina River Plate 2026 FIFA World Cup PRE
MF Milton Delgado (2005-06-16) 16 June 2005 (age 20) 0 0 Argentina Boca Juniors 2026 FIFA World Cup PRE
MF Equi Fernández (2002-07-25) 25 July 2002 (age 23) 0 0 Germany Bayer Leverkusen 2026 FIFA World Cup PRE
MF Alan Varela (2001-07-04) 4 July 2001 (age 24) 0 0 Portugal Porto 2026 FIFA World Cup PRE
FW Alejandro Garnacho (2004-07-01) 1 July 2004 (age 21) 8 0 England Chelsea 2026 FIFA World Cup PRE
FW Franco Mastantuono (2007-08-14) 14 August 2007 (age 18) 4 0 Spain Real Madrid 2026 FIFA World Cup PRE
FW Gianluca Prestianni (2006-01-31) 31 January 2006 (age 20) 1 0 Portugal Benfica 2026 FIFA World Cup PRE
FW Santiago Castro (2004-09-18) 18 September 2004 (age 21) 0 0 Italy Bologna 2026 FIFA World Cup PRE
FW Claudio Echeverri (2006-01-02) 2 January 2006 (age 20) 0 0 Spain Girona 2026 FIFA World Cup PRE
FW Mateo Pellegrino (2001-10-22) 22 October 2001 (age 24) 0 0 Italy Parma 2026 FIFA World Cup PRE
FW Matías Soulé (2003-04-15) 15 April 2003 (age 23) 0 0 Italy Roma 2026 FIFA World Cup PRE
FW Joaquín Panichelli (2002-10-07) 7 October 2002 (age 23) 1 0 France Strasbourg v.  Mauritania, 27 March 2026 INJ
FW Valentín Carboni (2005-03-05) 5 March 2005 (age 21) 3 0 Argentina Racing v.  Ecuador, 9 September 2025
FW Ángel Correa (1995-03-09) 9 March 1995 (age 31) 28 3 Mexico UANL v.  Venezuela, 4 September 2025 PRE
Notes
  • INJ = Withdrew due to injury.
  • PRE = Preliminary squad.
  • SUS = Suspended.
  • RET = Retired from the national team.
  • WD = Player withdrew from the squad due to non-injury issue.
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Individual records and achievements

Main article: Argentina national football team records and statistics
As of 31 March 2026[62]
Players in bold are still active with Argentina.

Most appearances

Lionel Messi is Argentina's most-capped player ever and also its all-time top scorer
More information Rank, Player ...
Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1 Lionel Messi 198 116 2005–present
2 Javier Mascherano 147 3 2003–2018
3 Ángel Di María 145 31 2008–2024
Javier Zanetti 145 5 1994–2011
5 Nicolás Otamendi 131 7 2009–present
6 Roberto Ayala 115 7 1994–2007
7 Diego Simeone 104 11 1988–2002
8 Sergio Agüero 101 41 2006–2021
9 Oscar Ruggeri 97 7 1983–1994
10 Sergio Romero 96 0 2009–2018
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Top goalscorers

More information Rank, Player ...
Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Lionel Messi (list) 116 198 0.59 2005–present
2 Gabriel Batistuta (list) 56 78 0.72 1991–2002
3 Sergio Agüero 41 101 0.41 2006–2021
4 Lautaro Martínez 37 76 0.49 2018–present
5 Hernán Crespo 35 64 0.55 1995–2007
6 Diego Maradona (list) 34 91 0.37 1977–1994
7 Gonzalo Higuaín 31 75 0.41 2009–2018
Ángel Di María 31 145 0.21 2008–2024
9 Luis Artime 24 25 0.96 1961–1967
10 Leopoldo Luque 22 45 0.49 1975–1981
Daniel Passarella 22 70 0.31 1976–1986
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World Cup-winning captains

More information Year, Player ...
Year Player Caps Goals
1978 Daniel Passarella 70 22
1986 Diego Maradona 91 34
2022 Lionel Messi 198 116
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Competitive record

  Champions    Runners-up    Third place     Tournament played fully or partially on home soil  

FIFA World Cup

Main article: Argentina at the FIFA World Cup
More information FIFA World Cup record, Qualification record ...
FIFA World Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Squad Pld W D L GF GA
Uruguay 1930 Runners-up 2nd 5 4 0 1 18 9 Squad Qualified as invitees
Italy 1934 Round of 16 9th 1 0 0 1 2 3 Squad Qualified automatically
France 1938 Withdrew Withdrew
Brazil 1950
Switzerland 1954
Sweden 1958 Group stage 13th 3 1 0 2 5 10 Squad 4 3 0 1 10 2
Chile 1962 Group stage 10th 3 1 1 1 2 3 Squad 2 2 0 0 11 3
England 1966 Quarter-finals 5th 4 2 1 1 4 2 Squad 4 3 1 0 9 2
Mexico 1970 Did not qualify 4 1 1 2 4 6
West Germany 1974 Quarter-finals[c] 8th 6 1 2 3 9 12 Squad 4 3 1 0 9 2
Argentina 1978 Champions 1st 7 5 1 1 15 4 Squad Qualified as hosts
Spain 1982 Second group stage 11th 5 2 0 3 8 7 Squad Qualified as defending champions
Mexico 1986 Champions 1st 7 6 1 0 14 5 Squad 6 4 1 1 12 6
Italy 1990 Runners-up 2nd 7 2 3 2 5 4 Squad Qualified as defending champions
United States 1994 Round of 16 10th 4 2 0 2 8 6 Squad 8 4 2 2 9 10
France 1998 Quarter-finals 6th 5 3 1 1 10 4 Squad 16 8 6 2 23 13
South Korea Japan 2002 Group stage 18th 3 1 1 1 2 2 Squad 18 13 4 1 42 15
Germany 2006 Quarter-finals 6th 5 3 2 0 11 3 Squad 18 10 4 4 29 17
South Africa 2010 Quarter-finals 5th 5 4 0 1 10 6 Squad 18 8 4 6 23 20
Brazil 2014 Runners-up 2nd 7 5 1 1 8 4 Squad 16 9 5 2 35 15
Russia 2018 Round of 16 16th 4 1 1 2 6 9 Squad 18 7 7 4 19 16
Qatar 2022 Champions 1st 7 4 2 1 15 8 Squad 17 11 6 0 27 8
Canada Mexico United States 2026 Qualified 18 12 2 4 31 10
Morocco Portugal Spain 2030 Qualified as commemorative match hosts Qualified as commemorative match hosts
Saudi Arabia 2034 To be determined To be determined
Total 3 Titles 19/23 88 47 17 24 152 101 — 171 98 44 29 293 145
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*Draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.

Copa América

Main article: Argentina at the Copa América
More information South American Championship / Copa América record, Year ...
South American Championship / Copa América record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Squad
Argentina 1916Runners-up2nd312072 Squad
Uruguay 1917Runners-up2nd320153 Squad
Brazil 1919Third place3rd310277 Squad
Chile 1920Runners-up2nd312042 Squad
Argentina 1921Champions1st330050 Squad
Brazil 1922Fourth place4th420263 Squad
Uruguay 1923Runners-up2nd320166 Squad
Uruguay 1924Runners-up2nd312020 Squad
Argentina 1925Champions1st4310114 Squad
Chile 1926Runners-up2nd4211143 Squad
Peru 1927Champions1st3300154 Squad
Argentina 1929Champions1st330091 Squad
Peru 1935Runners-up2nd320185 Squad
Argentina 1937Champions1st6501145 Squad
Peru 1939Withdrew
Chile 1941Champions1st4400102 Squad
Uruguay 1942Runners-up2nd6411216 Squad
Chile 1945Champions1st6510225 Squad
Argentina 1946Champions1st5500173 Squad
Ecuador 1947Champions1st7610284 Squad
Brazil 1949Withdrew
Peru 1953
Chile 1955Champions1st5410186 Squad
Uruguay1956Third place3rd530253 Squad
Peru 1957Champions1st6501256 Squad
Argentina 1959Champions1st6510195 Squad
Ecuador 1959Runners-up2nd421199 Squad
Bolivia 1963Third place3rd63121510 Squad
Uruguay 1967Runners-up2nd5401123 Squad
1975Group stage5th4202174 Squad
1979Group stage8th411276 Squad
1983Group stage6th413054 Squad
Argentina 1987Fourth place4th411254 Squad
Brazil 1989Third place3rd723224 Squad
Chile 1991Champions1st7610166 Squad
Ecuador 1993Champions1st624064 Squad
Uruguay 1995Quarter-finals5th421186 Squad
Bolivia 1997 Quarter-finals6th412143 Squad
Paraguay 1999 Quarter-finals8th420266 Squad
Colombia 2001Withdrew
Peru 2004Runners-up2nd6411166 Squad
Venezuela 2007Runners-up2nd6501166 Squad
Argentina 2011Quarter-finals7th413052 Squad
Chile 2015Runners-up2nd6330103 Squad
United States 2016Runners-up2nd6510182 Squad
Brazil 2019Third place3rd631276 Squad
Brazil 2021Champions1st7520123 Squad
United States 2024Champions1st651091 Squad
Total16 Titles44/482081324333483183—
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CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions

More information CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions record, Year ...
CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
France 1985 Did not qualify
Argentina 1993 Champions1st101011
England 2022 Champions1st110030
Qatar 2026 Cancelled
Total 2 Titles 2/3 2 1 1 0 4 1
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*Draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.

FIFA Confederations Cup

More information FIFA Confederations Cup record, Year ...
FIFA Confederations Cup record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Squad
Saudi Arabia 1992 Champions1st220071 Squad
Saudi Arabia 1995 Runners-up2nd311153 Squad
Saudi Arabia 1997 Did not qualify
Mexico 1999
South Korea Japan 2001
France 2003
Germany 2005 Runners-up2nd52211010 Squad
South Africa 2009 Did not qualify
Brazil 2013
Russia 2017
Total 1 Title 3/10 10 5 3 2 22 14 —
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Olympic Games

More information Olympic Games record, Year ...
Olympic Games record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Squad
Greece 1896 No football tournament
France 1900 Only club teams participated
United States 1904
United Kingdom 1908 Did not participate
Sweden 1912
Belgium 1920
France 1924
Netherlands 1928Silver medal2nd5311257 Squad
United States 1932 No football tournament
Nazi Germany 1936 Did not participate
United Kingdom 1948
Finland 1952
Australia 1956
Italy 1960Quarter-finals7th320164 Squad
Japan 1964Group stage10th201134 Squad
Mexico 1968 Did not qualify
West Germany 1972
Canada 1976
Soviet Union 1980 Qualified but withdrew
United States 1984 Did not qualify
South Korea 1988Quarter-finals8th411245 Squad
Since 1992See Argentina national under-23 football team
Total1 Silver medal4/19146353820—
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Pan American Games

More information Pan American Games record, Year ...
Pan American Games record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
Argentina 1951Gold medal1st4400162
Mexico 1955Gold medal1st6510237
United States 1959Gold medal1st6510204
Brazil 1963Silver medal2nd4220113
Canada 1967Preliminary round5th311173
Colombia 1971Gold medal1st8620134
Mexico 1975Bronze medal3rd6510191
Puerto Rico 1979Bronze medal3rd541090
Venezuela 1983Preliminary round5th200204
United States 1987Bronze medal3rd5311113
Cuba 1991Did not qualify
Argentina 1995Gold medal1st6420104
Since 1999See Argentina national under-23 football team
Total5 Gold medals11/12553912413935
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Head-to-head record

Below is a result summary of all matches Argentina has played against FIFA recognised teams.[63]

As of 6 June 2026 after the match against  Honduras.

  Positive record   Neutral record   Negative record

More information Opponents, Pld ...
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  1. [a]
    • March 2007
    • October 2007 – June 2008
    • July 2015 – October 2015
    • April 2016 – March 2017
    • April 2023 – July 2025
  2. [b]
    Match was originally set to be played at Soldier Field in Chicago but was relocated due to unrest from Operation Midway Blitz.
  3. [c]
    Last 8 held as second group stage.
  4. [d]
    Includes matches against  West Germany.
  5. [e]
    Includes matches against  Soviet Union.
  6. [f]
    Includes matches against  Yugoslavia.

Rivalries

Brazil

Main article: Argentina–Brazil football rivalry

Argentina and Brazil have a fierce rivalry which is one of the oldest in South America.[65][66][67] Matches 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 "Superclassic of the Americas." FIFA has described it as the "essence of football rivalry".[68]

The rivalry has extended to comparisons between Pelé and Diego Maradona.[69][70] Some of their countrymen also feature regularly in such debates. The next most notable pair are perhaps Garrincha (Brazil)[71] and Alfredo Di Stéfano (Argentina).[72] The most dominant figures from the two countries in the modern game are Neymar (Brazil) and Lionel Messi (Argentina). Both Pelé and Maradona have declared Neymar and Messi their respective "successors".[73][74]

England

Main article: Argentina–England football rivalry

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, with England winning 1–0 through a penalty by David Beckham who had been sent off in the tie four years earlier.

Germany

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

Argentina has played Germany in seven FIFA World Cup matches including three World Cup finals. In 1986 Argentina won 3–2, but in 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.[75] In 1966 both again faced each other in the group stage which ended in a scoreless draw.[76] 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.[77][78] 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 Brazil 2014's final, where Argentina was defeated in extra time by a score of 1–0.

Uruguay

Main article: Argentina–Uruguay football rivalry

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.[79][80] Argentina and Uruguay hold the record for most international matches played between two countries.[4] 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.[note 5]

Netherlands

Main article: Argentina–Netherlands football rivalry

Considered by sports media to be two historically great teams,[82] the Argentines and Dutch have developed an intense rivalry. They have met ten times in total, including six times during the World Cup.[83][84][85]

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.[86] 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.[87][88]

Honours

Global

Intercontinental

Continental

Friendly

Awards

Chronology of titles

More information Host nation, Tournament ...
Host nation Tournament Year No.
Argentina ArgentinaCopa América19211st
19252nd
Peru Peru19273rd
Argentina Argentina19294th
19375th
Chile Chile19416th
19457th
Argentina Argentina19468th
Ecuador Ecuador19479th
Chile Chile195510th
Peru Peru195711th
Argentina Argentina195912th
Costa Rica Costa RicaPanamerican Championship196013th
Argentina ArgentinaWorld Cup197814th
Mexico Mexico198615th
Chile ChileCopa América199116th
Saudi Arabia Saudi ArabiaConfederations Cup199217th
Argentina ArgentinaArtemio Franchi Cup199318th
Ecuador EcuadorCopa América199319th
Brazil Brazil202120th
England EnglandFinalissima202221st
Qatar QatarWorld Cup202222nd
United States United StatesCopa América202423rd
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Summary

More information Competition, Total ...
Competition1st place, gold medalist(s)2nd place, silver medalist(s)3rd place, bronze medalist(s)Total
FIFA World Cup 3306
FIFA Confederations Cup 1203
Olympic Games 0101
CONMEBOL Copa América 1614535
Panamerican Championship1 1102
CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions 2002
Total2321549
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Notes
  1. Official continental competition organized by PFC. It was a unified confederation of the Americas, which was formed by NAFC, CCCF and CONMEBOL.
  • s Shared titles.

See also

Notes

  1. [1]
    Argentina's Olympic Silver has equal value to a World Cup runner-up finish. Only the 1924 and 1928 editions are senior world titles equivalent to a World Cup.[10] After the World Cup was established, football at the Olympics became amateur players only[11][12], like it was prior to 1924. Since the 1992 edition, the tournament was restricted to squads with no more than 3 players over the age of 23, and these matches are not regarded as part of the senior national team's record, nor are senior national team caps awarded, it’s part of the Argentina U23.
  2. [2]
    There is a precedent of a match played between an Argentine representative against an Uruguayan side, on 16 May 1901, in Paso del Molino. Nevertheless, most historians discard this match as the first, stating that match was not organised by the AUF but by the Albion F.C.. In fact, the initial line-up featured nine players from Albion and two from Nacional.[6][17][5]
  3. [3]
    There is a dispute in the official count of matches. Many sources don´t count a few games played between the first team of Argentina against Brazilian State Selection teams, or matches played between the first team of Argentina or Brazil against a "B" team of the rival, so they would not be "International Class A" matches. Many sources say that Argentina leads by 1 match (43-42), many others say that Argentina leads by 2 matches (41-39) and many others say Brazil leads by 1 match (43-42). For more information, see the article Argentina-Brazil football rivalry.
  4. [4]
    A match against England on 17 May 1953 was abandoned, and the result declared void, hence the number of matches played is greater than the total of wins/draws/losses.
  5. [5]
    Although Canada and the United States played two internationals in 1885 and 1886, neither match is considered official; Canada did not play an official international until 1904[citation needed] and the United States did not play one until 1916.[81]
  6. [6]
    Organised by Argentine and Uruguayan Associations
  7. [7]
    Organised as part of the celebrations for the Argentine Centennial.
  8. [8]
    Organised by Brazilian and Argentine Associations
  9. [9]
    Organised by the Brazilian Confederation
  10. [10]
    Organised by Japanese Kirin Company
  1. [A]
    Attributed to multiple references:[4][5][6][7]
  2. [B]
    Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Argentina
  3. [C]
    English: The White and Sky Blue
  4. [D]
    Attributed to multiple references:[13][14][15]
  5. [E]
    Attributed to multiple references:[28][29][30]

References

External links

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