Argentina national football team
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| Argentina national football team | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Country | Argentina |
| Association | Argentine Football Association |
| Confederation | CONMEBOL |
| Coach | Lionel Scaloni |
| Captain | Lionel Messi |
| Most caps | Lionel Messi (180) |
| Top scorer | Lionel Messi (106) |
| Fifa code | ARG |
| Fifa max date | April 2023 |
| Fifa min | 24 |
| Fifa min date | August 1996 |
| First game | Uruguay 2–3 Argentina, (Montevideo, Uruguay; 16 May 1901) |
| Largest win | Argentina 12–0 Ecuador, (Montevideo, Uruguay; 22 January 1942) |
| Largest loss | Uruguay 6–0 Argentina, (Montevideo, Uruguay; 20 July 1902), Bolivia 6–1 Argentina, (La Paz, Bolivia; 1 April 2009), Spain 6–1 Argentina, (Madrid, Spain; 27 March 2018) |
| World Cup apps | 18 |
| World Cup first | 1930 FIFA World Cup |
| World Cup best | Winners (1978, 1986, 2022) |
| Continental cup apps | 43 |
| Continental cup first | 1916 South American Championship |
| Continental cup best | Winners (1921, 1925, 1927, 1929, 1937, 1941, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1955, 1957, 1959, 1991, 1993, 2021) |
| Confed cup first | 1992 King Fahd Cup |
| Confed cup best | Winners (1992) |
Argentina national football team. Governed by the Argentine Football Association, it is one of the most successful national teams in football history, having won major titles including the FIFA World Cup and the Copa América. The team, known for its distinctive Albiceleste striped shirt, has been home to some of the sport's greatest legends, from Alfredo Di Stéfano to Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi. Its intense rivalry with Brazil and Uruguay defines much of CONMEBOL competition.
History
The team's early history is intertwined with the development of South American football, contesting the first official international match outside the British Isles against Uruguay in 1901. Argentina was a founding participant in the 1916 South American Championship, the precursor to the Copa América, winning its first title in 1921. The side finished as runner-up in the inaugural 1930 FIFA World Cup, losing to Uruguay in the final held in Montevideo. A golden era followed World War II, with dominant performances in the 1940s Copa América led by stars like Ángel Labruna and Alfredo Di Stéfano. The nation's first World Cup triumph came on home soil at the 1978 FIFA World Cup, managed by César Luis Menotti and inspired by Mario Kempes. The 1986 FIFA World Cup became synonymous with Diego Maradona, whose performances, including the "Goal of the Century" against England, secured a second title. After a long drought, a third World Cup was won at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, led by captain Lionel Messi and coach Lionel Scaloni.
Team image
The team's iconic identity is centered on its light blue and white striped jersey, inspired by the national flag and earning the nickname Albiceleste. The traditional kit is supplied by Adidas and is often paired with black shorts. The badge features the Sun of May emblem. The team's home stadium is the Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti in Buenos Aires, home of Club Atlético River Plate. Supporters are known for their passionate displays, with fan groups like Barra brava being a prominent, if sometimes controversial, part of matchday culture. The team's style has historically been associated with creative, attacking football, producing technically gifted players known as Pibe.
Honours
Argentina's trophy cabinet is among the most illustrious in international football. At world level, the team are three-time champions of the FIFA World Cup (1978, 1986, 2022). They have also won the FIFA Confederations Cup (1992) and two Olympic gold medals in football (2004, 2008). In continental competition, Argentina holds a record-tying fifteen Copa América titles, with victories spanning from 1921 to 2021. The team has also won the CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions (1993, 2022) and numerous other regional cups like the Copa de las Naciones.
Players
The current squad is managed by Lionel Scaloni and captained by Lionel Messi, the nation's all-time appearance maker and top scorer. Other key veterans include Ángel Di María and Nicolás Otamendi. The team boasts world-class talent across Europe's top leagues, such as goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez of Aston Villa, defender Cristian Romero of Tottenham Hotspur, and forward Julián Álvarez of Manchester City. Emerging talents like Enzo Fernández of Chelsea and Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool represent the new generation. Historical legends include Diego Maradona, Alfredo Di Stéfano, Daniel Passarella, Gabriel Batistuta, and Juan Román Riquelme.
Results and fixtures
The team's recent schedule has included CONMEBOL qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, facing rivals like Brazil, Uruguay, and Chile. High-profile friendly matches, often termed Superclásico de las Américas when against Brazil, are regularly organized. The team's most recent major tournament was the victorious 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign, which featured a historic final against France at Lusail Stadium. Upcoming commitments include the 2024 Copa América in the United States, where Argentina will defend its title.
Managers
The team has been led by many influential coaches throughout its history. The first World Cup-winning manager was César Luis Menotti, a proponent of attacking football, in 1978. The second triumph in 1986 was masterminded by Carlos Bilardo. The recent era of success under Lionel Scaloni, who took over in 2018, culminated in wins at the 2021 Copa América and 2022 FIFA World Cup. Other notable managers include Guillermo Stábile, the team's longest-serving coach, Daniel Passarella, Marcelo Bielsa, whose tenure included Olympic gold at Athens 2004, Alejandro Sabella, who guided the team to the 2014 FIFA World Cup final, and Gerardo Martino.
Category:National association football teams Category:Sport in Argentina