Argentina women's national field hockey team
Olympic field hockey team
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The Argentina women's national field hockey team (Spanish: Selección femenina de hockey sobre césped de Argentina) is governed by the Argentine Hockey Confederation (CAH). The current coach is Fernando Ferrara, who was appointed after Carlos Retegui was let go in late 2021. The team is currently second in the FIH Women's World Ranking.
Las Leonas (The Lionesses) have appeared in six Hockey World Cup finals, including the first final in 1974, which they lost 1–0 to the Netherlands. Argentina had to settle with second place in two more finals before winning the tournament for the first time in 2002, beating the Netherlands 4–3 in the final on penalty strokes after a 1–1 draw. Argentina, led by eight-time FIH Player of the Year Luciana Aymar won again in 2010, a 3–1 victory over the Netherlands. Argentina's World Cup-winning coaches are Sergio Vigil in 2002 and Carlos Retegui in 2010.
Argentina has been very successful at the Summer Olympics, winning four consecutive medals (two silver, two bronze) since the 2000 edition, when they became the first women's team in any sport to win an Olympic medal for their country. Luciana Aymar is the only player that has participated and won those four medals. Also, after their first title in 2001 at a Hockey Champions Trophy, they have won the tournament six more times. In front of a home crowd, they won the 2014–15 Hockey World League as the first international title after Aymar's retirement from the national team the previous year.
At a continental level, Argentina has dominated and won every tournament they played, including the Pan American Cup and the Pan American Games leaving the United States with second place on most events until they lost the 2011 Pan American Games final for the first time.
In July 2003, after the implementation of an official World Ranking System, Argentina reached the top of the FIH Women's World Ranking for the first time, reaching it again in 2010 after obtaining the World Cup title and once more in late 2013.
History
Hockey was introduced in Argentina by English immigrants at the beginning of the 20th century, and the first women's teams were officially formed in 1909.[2] In 1997, Sergio Vigil, a former player for the men's national team, was appointed coach. Under his leadership, Las Leonas achieved their first World Hockey Cup title, their first Olympic medals, their first Champions Trophy medals, and many other achievements. The team went from having a rather limited audience to becoming a national sensation, with some of the players even appearing as models in advertising campaigns.
Nickname
Throughout its history, the team has developed a reputation for being tenacious even when a match appears to be lost. For this reason, a lioness was chosen as their symbol when the team qualified for the 2000 Summer Olympics. During the second round of games, Argentina played against the powerful Dutch team, and they chose this occasion to place the image of a lioness on their shirts for the first time.
The image was designed by then-player Inés Arrondo together with Vigil's sister-in-law.[3] Argentina won that match, went on to win the silver medal, and Las Leonas were born. Subsequently, the junior (under 21) team is called Las Leoncitas ("the baby lionesses" or "the lioness cubs").
The lioness logo was redesigned in 2006 by the team kit supplier, Adidas, along with Confederación Argentina de Hockey and even some of the most representative players. This is slightly different from the original, showing the lioness' tail pretending to be a hockey stick while holding a ball.[4]
The nickname also falls in line with an unwritten Argentine tradition of naming national teams after big cats: the men's field hockey team is called Los Leones ("The Lions"), the men's rugby union team is called Los Pumas ("The Pumas"), and the women's volleyball team is known as Las Panteras ("The Panthers").
Tournament records
| World Cup[5] | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Host city | Position |
| 1974 |  Mandelieu, France |
2nd |
| 1976 |  Berlin, West Germany |
2nd |
| 1978 |  Madrid, Spain |
3rd |
| 1981 |  Buenos Aires, Argentina |
6th |
| 1983 |  Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
9th |
| 1986 |  Amsterdam, Netherlands |
7th |
| 1990 |  Sydney, Australia |
9th |
| 1994 |  Dublin, Ireland |
2nd |
| 1998 | Utrecht, Netherlands |
4th |
| 2002 | Perth, Australia |
1st |
| 2006 |  Madrid, Spain |
3rd |
| 2010 | Rosario, Argentina |
1st |
| 2014 | The Hague, Netherlands |
3rd |
| 2018 |  London, England |
7th |
| 2022 | Terrassa, Spain Amstelveen, Netherlands |
2nd |
| 2026 |  Wavre, Belgium Amstelveen, Netherlands |
Qualified |
| Pan American Cup[6] | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Host city | Position |
| 2001 |  Kingston, Jamaica |
1st |
| 2004 |  Bridgetown, Barbados |
1st |
| 2009 |  Hamilton, Bermuda |
1st |
| 2013 | Mendoza, Argentina |
1st |
| 2017 |  Lancaster, United States |
1st |
| 2022 |  Santiago, Chile |
1st |
| 2025 |  Montevideo, Uruguay |
1st |
| South American Championship[7] | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Host city | Position |
| 2003 | Santiago, Chile |
1st |
| 2008 | Montevideo, Uruguay |
1st |
| 2010 |  Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
1st |
| 2013 | Santiago, Chile |
1st |
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| World League[11] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Final host city | Position | |
| 2012–13 | San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina |
4th | |
| 2014–15 | Rosario, Argentina |
1st | |
| 2016–17 |  Auckland, New Zealand |
5th | |
| Champions Trophy[12] | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Host city | Position |
| 1995 | Mar del Plata, Argentina |
6th |
| 1999 | Brisbane, Australia |
4th |
| 2000 | Amstelveen, Netherlands |
4th |
| 2001 | Amstelveen, Netherlands |
1st |
| 2002 |  Macau, China |
2nd |
| 2003 | Sydney, Australia |
4th |
| 2004 | Rosario, Argentina |
3rd |
| 2005 | Canberra, Australia |
4th |
| 2006 | Amstelveen, Netherlands |
4th |
| 2007 | Quilmes, Argentina |
2nd |
| 2008 | Mönchengladbach, Germany |
1st |
| 2009 | Sydney, Australia |
1st |
| 2010 | Nottingham, England |
1st |
| 2011 | Amstelveen, Netherlands |
2nd |
| 2012 | Rosario, Argentina |
1st |
| 2014 | Mendoza, Argentina |
1st |
| 2016 |  London, United Kingdom |
1st |
| 2018 |  Changzhou, China |
3rd |
Players
Current squad
The following players were called to compete in the Pro League window against Australia and Ireland between 10th and 14th February in Hobart, Australia.
Players, caps and goals updated as of 14 March 2026.
Head coach: Fernando Ferrara
| No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | GK | Cristina Cosentino | 22 December 1997 | 71 | Banco Nación | |
| 40 | GK | Mercedes Artola | 16 January 2006 | 5 | River Plate | |
| 2 | DF | Sofía Toccalino | 20 March 1997 | 206 | 19 | St. Catherine's |
| 3 | DF | Agustina Gorzelany | 11 March 1996 | 152 | 107 | San Martín |
| 4 | DF | Valentina Raposo | 28 January 2003 | 87 | 11 | Popeye Rugby Club |
| 20 | DF | Sofía Cairó | 8 October 2002 | 57 | 4 | Mariano Moreno |
| 64 | DF | Milagros Alastra | 22 August 2006 | 3 | 0 | GEBA |
| 5 | MF | Agostina Alonso | 1 October 1995 | 192 | 7 | Banco Nación |
| 18 | MF | Victoria Sauze | 21 July 1991 | 166 | 7 | San Lorenzo |
| 22 | MF | Eugenia Trinchinetti | 17 July 1997 | 214 | 53 | San Fernando |
| 25 | MF | Juana Castellaro | 29 March 2005 | 51 | 1 | River Plate |
| 29 | MF | Victoria Miranda | 5 June 2000 | 44 | 2 | Ciudad |
| 42 | MF | Victoria Falasco | 1 April 2004 | 14 | 4 | GEBA |
| 51 | MF | Paula Ortiz | 16 April 1997 | 102 | 15 | San Martín |
| 10 | FW | María José Granatto | 21 April 1995 | 246 | 147 | Santa Bárbara |
| 21 | FW | Victoria Granatto | 9 April 1991 | 72 | 21 | Santa Bárbara |
| 23 | FW | Lara Casas | 22 June 2004 | 23 | 3 | Italiano |
| 28 | FW | Julieta Jankunas | 20 January 1999 | 205 | 119 | Hacoaj |
| 33 | FW | Zoe Díaz | 5 June 2006 | 37 | 9 | Italiano |
| 60 | FW | Brisa Bruggesser | 25 July 2002 | 24 | 9 | Ciudad |
Recent call-ups
These players were called up in the last 12 months.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Lourdes Pérez Iturraspe | 16 February 2000 | 0 | SIC |
Never played an official match | |
| DF | Valentina Costa Biondi | 13 September 1995 | 95 | 9 | San Fernando |
13 December 2025, v. Germany |
| DF | Emilia Forcherio | 16 February 1995 | 34 | 5 | Lomas |
22 June 2025, v. China |
| DF | Sol Lombardo | 10 March 1999 | 18 | 0 | Italiano |
11 December 2025, v. Netherlands |
| DF | Chiara Ambrosini | 2 November 2006 | 14 | 1 | Ferro |
3 August 2025, v. United States |
| DF | Emma Knobl | 27 October 2005 | 5 | 0 | Lomas |
3 August 2025, v. United States |
| DF | Valentina Ferola | 24 September 2003 | 3 | 0 | Italiano |
11 December 2025, v. Netherlands |
| MF | Catalina Andrade | 7 February 2002 | 23 | 3 | Italiano |
11 December 2025, v. Netherlands |
| MF | Julieta Arcidiácono | 6 April 2001 | 2 | 0 | Banco Provincia |
10 December 2025, v. Germany |
| MF | Candela Esandi | 8 August 2001 | 1 | 0 | San Fernando |
13 December 2025, v. Germany |
| FW | Lourdes Pisthón | 27 December 2007 | 9 | 1 | Banco Nación |
22 June 2025, v. China |
| FW | Emilia Larsen | 12 April 2002 | 6 | 1 | Club Atlético Monte Hermoso |
11 December 2025, v. Netherlands |
| FW | Catalina Alimenti | 30 December 2002 | 3 | 0 | GEBA |
13 December 2025, v. Germany |
| FW | Aylín Ovejero | 23 July 2003 | 2 | 0 | Lomas |
13 December 2025, v. Germany |
Notable past players
- Magdalena Aicega
- Laura Aladro
- Agustina Albertario
- Mariela Antoniska
- Inés Arrondo
- Luciana Aymar
- Noel Barrionuevo
- Claudia Burkart
- Pilar Campoy
- Jimena Cedrés
- Laura del Colle
- Silvina D'Elía
- Natalí Doreski
- María Paz Ferrari
- Andrea Fioroni
- Anabel Gambero
- Soledad García
- Mariana González Oliva
- Alejandra Gulla
- Agustina Habif
- Florencia Habif
- María de la Paz Hernández
- Giselle Kañevsky
- Gabriela Liz
- Marisa López
- Rosario Luchetti
- Sofía Maccari
- Sofía MacKenzie
- Laura Maiztegui
- Mercedes Margalot
- Karina Masotta
- Delfina Merino
- Laura Mulhall
- Vanina Oneto
- Gabriela Pando
- María Gabriela Pazos
- Carla Rebecchi
- Jorgelina Rimoldi
- Macarena Rodríguez
- Cecilia Rognoni
- Mariana Rossi
- Mariné Russo
- Rocío Sánchez Moccia
- Mariela Scarone
- Daniela Sruoga
- Josefina Sruoga
- Ayelén Stepnik
- Belén Succi
- María Alejandra Tucat
- Lucina von der Heyde
- Paola Vukojicic
Not in use jersey numbers
When Luciana Aymar (eight-time FIH Player of the Year Award winner and regarded as the best player in the history of the sport),[15][13][14] retired from the national team in 2014 after 376 international matches played, some of Aymar's teammates (such as Carla Rebecchi[16][17]) asked the Confederation for the retirement of her iconic number 8 worn by her during 17 years with the national team.[18] Nevertheless, the number is not officially retired by the CAH, although it has not been assigned to other players since.
Captains
| Period | Captain | Vice-captain |
|---|---|---|
| 1997–2002 | Karina Masotta | Magdalena Aicega |
| 2003–2005 | Magdalena Aicega | Cecilia Rognoni |
| 2006–2008 | Luciana Aymar | |
| 2009–2014 | Luciana Aymar | Rosario Luchetti |
| 2014–2015 | Macarena Rodríguez | Carla Rebecchi |
| 2015–2017 | Carla Rebecchi | Belén Succi |
| 2017–2019 | Belén Succi | Delfina Merino |
| 2019–2020 | Rosario Luchetti | Silvina D'Elía Carla Rebecchi |
| 2021 | Noel Barrionuevo | Delfina Merino |
| 2022 | Agostina Alonso Rocío Sánchez Moccia Victoria Sauze | |
| 2023–2024 | Agostina Alonso María José Granatto Rocío Sánchez Moccia Victoria Sauze | |
| 2024-Present | Agostina Alonso María José Granatto | |
Coaches
| Period | Name |
|---|---|
| 1986–1991 | Miguel MacCormik |
| 1991–1997 | Rodolfo Mendoza |
| 1997–2004 | Sergio Vigil |
| 2004–2009 | Gabriel Minadeo |
| 2009–2012 | Carlos Retegui |
| 2012–2013 | Marcelo Garraffo |
| 2013 | Emanuel Roggero |
| 2013–2014 | Carlos Retegui (2nd cycle) |
| 2014–2015 | Santiago Capurro |
| 2015–2017 | Gabriel Minadeo (2nd cycle) |
| 2017–2018 | Agustín Corradini |
| 2018–2021 | Carlos Retegui (3rd cycle) |
| 2021–present | Fernando Ferrara |
Honours
Since its breakthrough in the 2000 Summer Olympics (where the team nicknamed "Las Leonas"' for the first time),[19] Argentina has won more than 20 official titles, which are detailed below:
- Summer Olympics:
Silver medal (3): Sydney 2000,[20] London 2012,[21] Tokyo 2020
Bronze medal (3): Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, Paris 2024
World Cup (2): 2002, 2010[22]- FIH Pro League (1): 2021–22
- FIH Hockey World League (1): 2014–15
- Champions Trophy (7): 2001, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016
- Pan American Cup (7): 2001, 2004, 2009, 2013, 2017, 2022, 2025
- Pan American Games (8): 1987, 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2019, 2023
- South American Championship (4): 2003, 2008, 2010, 2013
- South American Games (3): 2006, 2014, 2018
Gallery
Mariné Russo in a match against Australia in 2005
Mercedes Margalot in a match against Nederlands in 2005
Celebrating their win after the 2010 Champions Trophy final.
The 2010 World Champion squad
Champions Trophy winners in 2016
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