Argentina men's national football team

The Argentina men's national football team, known as La Albiceleste, carries a legacy that few nations can match. Run by the Argentine Football Association, the side has been a FIFA member since 1912 and helped found CONMEBOL in 1916. Argentina are the reigning World Cup champions, having lifted the trophy in Qatar in 2022, adding to previous wins in 1978 and 1986. They've reached six finals overall, including the very first tournament in 1930.

On the continental stage, Argentina hold a record 16 Copa America titles, most recently in 2024. They remain the only team to win that competition three times in a row, doing so in 1945, 1946, and 1947. Beyond South America, they claimed the Panamerican Championship in 1960, the inaugural FIFA Confederations Cup in 1992, and the CONMEBOL-UEFA Cup of Champions in both 1993 and 2022. With 23 official senior titles, no nation has more.

The team's golden era has been defined by Lionel Messi, who holds the records for most appearances (203) and goals (124). Messi earned the World Cup Golden Ball in 2014 and 2022, matching Diego Maradona, who won it in 1986. Argentina have been ranked No. 1 in the FIFA World Ranking since June 2026. Their fiercest rivalries are with Brazil, England, the Netherlands, and Uruguay.[edit]

The Argentine Football Association was founded on May 21, 1893, making it the eighth oldest national football association in the world. The national team played its first official match on July 20, 1902, against Uruguay in Montevideo, winning 6-0. That fixture remains the oldest rivalry in South America. Argentina joined FIFA in 1912 and co-founded CONMEBOL in 1916, the same year they hosted the first Copa America.

The 1930 World Cup in Uruguay saw Argentina reach the final, losing 4-2 to the hosts. They didn't win the tournament until 1978, when they hosted and beat the Netherlands 3-1 in extra time. Mario Kempes scored two goals in that final. Eight years later, Diego Maradona captained the side to victory in Mexico. His two goals against England in the quarterfinals the Hand of God and the Goal of the Century are etched into football lore. Argentina beat West Germany 3-2 in the final.

Between 1993 and 2021, the senior team endured a 28-year trophy drought in official competitions, despite reaching three World Cup finals (1990, 2014) and multiple Copa America finals. Lionel Scaloni took over as head coach in 2018 and transformed the squad. They won the 2021 Copa America in Brazil, beating the hosts 1-0. The following year, they defeated Italy 3-0 in the Finalissima. At the 2022 World Cup, Argentina staged a dramatic campaign, losing their opener to Saudi Arabia before winning six straight matches. The final against France ended 3-3 after extra time, with Argentina prevailing 4-2 on penalties. Lionel Messi scored twice in the final and was named player of the tournament.

In 2024, Argentina defended their Copa America crown in the United States, defeating Colombia 1-0 in the final. That victory made them the first South American team to win three consecutive major tournaments (Copa America 2021, World Cup 2022, Copa America 2024). The team also set a record for the longest unbeaten streak in their history, going 36 matches without defeat between 2019 and 2022.[edit]