Argentina at the FIFA World Cup

This is a record of Argentina's results at the FIFA World Cup. Argentina is one of the most successful national football teams in the world, having won two World Cups in 1978 and 1986. Argentina has been runners up three times in 1930, 1990 and 2014. The team was present in all but four of the World Cups, being behind only Brazil, Italy and Germany in number of appearances. Argentina has also won the Copa América 14 times, one less than Uruguay. Moreover, Argentina has also won the Confederations Cup and the gold medal at the 2004 and 2008 Olympic football tournament. Prior to that, Argentina won two silver medals in the 1928 and 1996 editions. On other levels of international competition, Argentina has won the FIFA U-20 World Cup a record six times. The FIFA U-17 World Cup is the only FIFA international competition yet to be won by Argentina.

World Cup record

FIFA World Cup finals record FIFA World Cup qualification record Year Round Position GP W D* L GF GA GP W D* L GF GA 1930 Runners-up 2nd 5 4 0 1 18 9 Invited 1934 First round 9th 1 0 0 1 2 3 Qualified by opponent's withdrawal[1] 1938 Did not enter Withdrew due to hosting disagreement[2] 1950 1954 Withdrew due to political decision[2] 1958 Group stage 13th 3 1 0 2 5 10 4 3 0 1 10 2 1962 Group stage 10th 3 1 1 1 2 3 2 2 0 0 11 3 1966 Quarter-finals 5th 4 2 1 1 4 2 4 3 1 0 9 2 1970 Did not qualify 4 1 1 2 4 6 1974 Second group stage 8th 6 1 2 3 9 12 4 3 1 0 9 2 1978 Champions 1st 7 5 1 1 15 4 Qualified as hosts 1982 Second group stage 11th 5 2 0 3 8 7 Qualified as defending champions 1986 Champions 1st 7 6 1 0 14 5 6 4 1 1 12 6 1990 Runners-up 2nd 7 4* 1 2 5 4 Qualified as defending champions 1994 Round of 16 10th 4 2 0 2 8 6 8 4 2 2 9 10 1998 Quarter-finals 6th 5 4* 0 1 10 4 16 8 6 2 23 13 2002 Group stage 18th 3 1 1 1 2 2 18 13 4 1 42 15 2006 Quarter-finals 6th 5 3 1 1* 11 3 18 10 4 4 29 17 2010 Quarter-finals 5th 5 4 0 1 10 6 18 8 4 6 23 20 2014 Runners-up 2nd 7 6* 0 1 8 4 16 9 5 2 35 15 2018 Round of 16 16th 4 1 1 2 6 9 18 7 7 4 19 16 2022 To Be Determined 2026 Total 2 titles 17/21 81 47 10 24 137 93 136 75 36 25 235 127 Argentina's World Cup record First Match Argentina 1–0 France  (15 July 1930; Montevideo, Uruguay) Biggest Win  Argentina 6–0 Peru  (21 June 1978; Rosario, Argentina)  Argentina 6-0 Serbia and Montenegro  (16 June 2006; Gelsenkirchen, Germany) Biggest Defeat  Czechoslovakia 6-1 Argentina  (15 June 1958; Helsingborg, Sweden) Best Result Champions in 1978 and 1986 Worst Result Group stage in 1934, 1958, 1962 and 2002 *Denotes wins/losses include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks. **Gold background color indicates that the tournament was won. Red border color indicates tournament was held on home soil. Winning World Cups Year Manager Captain Winning Goal Scorer(s) 1978 César Luis Menotti Daniel Passarella Mario Kempes (2), Daniel Bertoni 1986 Carlos Bilardo Diego Maradona José Luis Brown, Jorge Valdano, Jorge Burruchaga All matches World Cup Round Opponent Score Venue Scorers 1930 First round  France 1–0 Parque Central, Montevideo Monti  Mexico 6–3 Centenario, Montevideo Stábile (3), Zumelzú (2), Varallo  Chile 3–1 Centenario, Montevideo Stábile (2), Evaristo Semifinals  United States 6–1 Centenario, Montevideo Monti, Scopelli, Stábile (2), Peucelle (2) Final  Uruguay 2–4 Centenario, Montevideo Peucelle, Stábile 1934 Round of 16  Sweden 2–3 Stadio Littoriale, Bologna Belis, Galateo 1958 Group Stage  West Germany 1–3 Malmö Stadion, Malmö Corbatta  Northern Ireland 3–1 Örjans Vall, Halmstad Corbatta, Menéndez, Avio  Czechoslovakia 1–6 Olympiastadion, Helsingborg Corbatta 1962 Group stage  Bulgaria 1–0 El Teniente, Rancagua Facundo  England 1–3 El Teniente, Rancagua Sanfilippo  Hungary 0–0 El Teniente, Rancagua 1966 Group stage  Spain 2–1 Villa Park, Birmingham Artime (2)  West Germany 0–0 Villa Park, Birmingham   Switzerland 2–0 Hillsborough, Sheffield Artime, Onega Quarter-finals  England 0–1 Wembley, London 1974 Group stage  Poland 2–3 Neckarstadion, Stuttgart Heredia, Babington  Italy 1–1 Neckarstadion, Stuttgart Houseman  Haiti 4–1 Olympiastadion, Munich Yazalde (2), Houseman, Ayala Second round  Netherlands 0–4 Parkstadion, Gelsenkirchen  Brazil 1–2 Niedersachsenstadion, Hanover Brindisi  East Germany 1–1 Parkstadion, Gelsenkirchen Houseman 1978 Group stage  Hungary 2–1 Monumental, Buenos Aires Luque, Bertoni  France 2–1 Monumental, Buenos Aires Passarella, Luque  Italy 0–1 Monumental, Buenos Aires Second round  Poland 2–0 Gigante de Arroyito, Rosario Kempes (2)  Brazil 0–0 Gigante de Arroyito, Rosario  Peru 6–0 Gigante de Arroyito, Rosario Kempes (2), Tarantini, Luque (2), Houseman Final  Netherlands 3–1 aet Monumental, Buenos Aires Kempes (2), Bertoni 1982 Group stage  Belgium 0–1 Camp Nou, Barcelona  Hungary 4–1 José Rico Pérez, Alicante Bertoni, Maradona (2), Ardiles  El Salvador 2–0 José Rico Pérez, Alicante Passarella, Bertoni Second round  Italy 1–2 Sarrià, Barcelona Passarella  Brazil 1–3 Sarrià, Barcelona Díaz 1986 Group stage  South Korea 3–1 Estadio Olímpico Universitario, Mexico City Valdano (2), Ruggeri  Italy 1–1 Cuauhtémoc, Puebla Maradona  Bulgaria 2–0 Estadio Olímpico Universitario, Mexico City Valdano, Burruchaga Round of 16  Uruguay 1–0 Cuauhtémoc, Puebla Pasculli Quarter-finals  England 2–1 Estadio Azteca, Mexico City Maradona (2) Semifinals  Belgium 2–0 Estadio Azteca, Mexico City Maradona (2) Final  West Germany 3–2 Estadio Azteca, Mexico City Brown, Valdano, Burruchaga 1990 Group stage  Cameroon 0–1 San Siro, Milan  Soviet Union 2–0 San Paolo, Naples Troglio, Burruchaga  Romania 1–1 San Paolo, Naples Monzón Round of 16  Brazil 1–0 Stadio Delle Alpi, Turin Caniggia Quarter-finals  Yugoslavia 0–0 (3-2) pk Artemio Franchi, Florence Semifinals  Italy 1–1 (4-3) pk San Paolo, Naples Caniggia Final  West Germany 0–1 Olimpico, Rome 1994 Group stage  Greece 4–0 Foxboro Stadium, Foxborough Batistuta (3), Maradona  Nigeria 2–1 Foxboro Stadium, Foxborough Caniggia  Bulgaria 0–2 Cotton Bowl, Dallas Round of 16  Romania 2–3 Rose Bowl, Pasadena Batistuta, Balbo 1998 Group stage  Japan 1–0 Stadium Municipal, Toulouse Batistuta  Jamaica 5–0 Parc des Princes, Paris Ortega (2), Batistuta (3)  Croatia 1–0 Parc Lescure, Bordeaux Pineda Round of 16  England 2–2 (4-3) pk Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Étienne Batistuta, Zanetti Quarter-finals  Netherlands 1–2 Vélodrome, Marseille López[note 1] 2002 Group stage  Nigeria 1–0 Kashima, Ibaraki prefecture Batistuta  England 0–1 Sapporo Dome, Sapporo  Sweden 1–1 Miyagi, Rifu Crespo 2006 Group stage  Ivory Coast 2–1 Volksparkstadion, Hamburg Crespo, Saviola  Serbia and Montenegro 6–0 Arena AufSchalke, Gelsenkirchen Rodríguez (2), Cambiasso, Crespo, Tevez, Messi  Netherlands 0–0 Waldstadion, Frankfurt Round of 16  Mexico 2–1 aet Zentralstadion, Leipzig Crespo, Rodríguez Quarter-finals  Germany 1–1 (2-4) pk Olympiastadion, Berlin Ayala 2010 Group stage  Nigeria 1–0 Ellis Park, Johannesburg Heinze  South Korea 4–1 Soccer City, Johannesburg Park (own goal), Higuaín (3)  Greece 2–0 Peter Mokaba, Polokwane Demichelis, Palermo Round of 16  Mexico 3–1 Soccer City, Johannesburg Tevez (2), Higuaín Quarter-finals  Germany 0–4 Green Point, Cape Town 2014 Group stage  Bosnia and Herzegovina 2–1 Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro Kolašinac (own goal), Messi  Iran 1–0 Mineirão, Belo Horizonte Messi  Nigeria 3–2 Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre Messi (2), Rojo Round of 16   Switzerland 1–0 aet Arena Corinthians, São Paulo Di María Quarter-finals  Belgium 1–0 Estádio Nacional, Brasilia Higuaín Semifinals  Netherlands 0–0 (4-2) pk Arena Corinthians, São Paulo Final  Germany 0–1 aet Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro 2018 Group stage  Iceland 1–1 Spartak Stadium, Moscow Agüero  Croatia 0–3 Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, Nizhny Novgorod  Nigeria 2–1 Zenit Arena, Saint Petersburg Messi, Rojo Round of 16  France 3–4 Kazan Arena, Kazan Di María, Mercado, Agüero World Cup Finals 1930 v Uruguay The inaugural FIFA World Cup tournament culminated with Argentina facing hosts and current Olympic champions Uruguay. The match was turned twice: Argentina went into half-time with a 2-1 lead in spite of an early goal for Uruguay, but the hosts ultimately won 4-2. Guillermo Stábile, one of Argentina's scorers, became the tournament's top striker with 8 goals total. 30 July 1930 (1930-07-30) 14:15 UYT (UTC-03:30) Uruguay  4–2  Argentina Dorado  12' Cea  57'[3] Iriarte  68' Castro  89' Report Peucelle  20' Stábile  37'[3] Estadio Centenario, Montevideo Attendance: 68,346 Referee: John Langenus (Belgium) Uruguay Argentina GK Enrique Ballestrero RB José Nasazzi (c) LB Ernesto Mascheroni RH José Andrade CH Lorenzo Fernández LH Álvaro Gestido OR Pablo Dorado IR Héctor Scarone CF Héctor Castro IL Pedro Cea OL Santos Iriarte Manager: Alberto Suppici GK Juan Botasso RB José Della Torre LB Fernando Paternoster RH Juan Evaristo CH Luis Monti LH Pedro Suárez OR Carlos Peucelle IR Francisco Varallo CF Guillermo Stábile IL Manuel Ferreira (c) OL Mario Evaristo Managers: Francisco Olazar Juan José Tramutola 1978 v the Netherlands Argentina hosted the 1978 edition of the World Cup and reached the final. The Netherlands had already played the previous final in West Germany 1974 - and also lost to the hosts. Diego Maradona was 17 years old at this point and already a star in his home country, but did not make the squad as coach César Luis Menotti felt he was too inexperienced to handle the pressure of this major tournament. The playmaker position was instead filled by Mario Kempes, who ended up becoming the first Argentinian to win the Golden Ball in addition to being the tournament's top scorer with 6 goals. The Dutch side was missing a superstar of their own: Johann Cruyff did not join the 1978 World Cup squads due to the aftermath of a kidnapping attempt which occurred in 1977. He only disclosed this information 30 years later. The closely contested match was influenced by a hostile atmosphere and ended with the Dutch players refusing to attend the award ceremony after Argentina grabbed the title in extra time. 25 June 1978 15:00 UTC−3 Argentina  3–1 (a.e.t.)  Netherlands Kempes  38', 105' Bertoni  115' Report Nanninga  82' Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires Attendance: 71,483 Referee: Sergio Gonella (Italy) Argentina Netherlands GK 5 Ubaldo Fillol RB 15 Jorge Olguín CB 7 Luis Galván CB 19 Daniel Passarella (c) LB 20 Alberto Tarantini DM 6 Américo Gallego CM 2 Osvaldo Ardiles  40'  66' AM 10 Mario Kempes RW 4 Daniel Bertoni LW 16 Oscar Alberto Ortiz  75' CF 14 Leopoldo Luque Substitutes: MF 1 Norberto Alonso GK 3 Héctor Baley MF 8 Rubén Galván MF 9 René Houseman  75' MF 12 Omar Larrosa  93'  66' Manager: César Luis Menotti GK 8 Jan Jongbloed SW 5 Ruud Krol (c)  15' RB 6 Wim Jansen  75' CB 22 Ernie Brandts LB 2 Jan Poortvliet  96' RM 13 Johan Neeskens CM 9 Arie Haan LM 11 Willy van de Kerkhof RF 10 René van de Kerkhof CF 16 Johnny Rep  58' LF 12 Rob Rensenbrink Substitutes: DF 4 Adrie van Kraay DF 17 Wim Rijsbergen FW 18 Dick Nanninga  58' GK 19 Pim Doesburg DF 20 Wim Suurbier  94'  75' Manager: Ernst Happel 1986 v West Germany Eight years after the victory on home soil, Argentina won the World Cup title for the second time. Diego Maradona was voted Best Player of the tournament after scoring five goals and assisting the decisive 3-2 by Jorge Burruchaga in the 84th minute of the final. The match was played in front of a record attendance of 114,600 people. 29 June 1986 12:00 CST Argentina  3–2  West Germany Brown  23' Valdano  56' Burruchaga  84' Report Rummenigge  74' Völler  81' Estadio Azteca, Mexico City Attendance: 114,600 Referee: Romualdo Arppi Filho (Brazil) Argentina West Germany GK 18 Nery Pumpido  85' SW 5 José Luis Brown CB 9 José Luis Cuciuffo CB 19 Oscar Ruggeri RWB 14 Ricardo Giusti LWB 16 Julio Olarticoechea  77' DM 2 Sergio Batista CM 7 Jorge Burruchaga  90' CM 12 Héctor Enrique  81' SS 10 Diego Maradona (c)  17' CF 11 Jorge Valdano Substitutions: MF 21 Marcelo Trobbiani  90' Manager: Carlos Bilardo GK 1 Harald Schumacher SW 17 Ditmar Jakobs CB 4 Karlheinz Förster CB 2 Hans-Peter Briegel  62' RWB 14 Thomas Berthold LWB 3 Andreas Brehme CM 6 Norbert Eder CM 8 Lothar Matthäus  21' AM 10 Felix Magath  62' CF 11 Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (c) CF 19 Klaus Allofs  46' Substitutions: FW 9 Rudi Völler  46' FW 20 Dieter Hoeneß  62' Manager: Franz Beckenbauer 1990 v West Germany In 1990, Argentina faced West Germany in a repeat of the 1986 edition. Pedro Monzón became the first player ever to be sent off in a World Cup final, but was later joined by teammate Gustavo Dezotti. The match was decided by a penalty kick in favour of Germany. 8 July 1990 20:00 UTC+2 West Germany  1–0  Argentina Brehme  85' (pen.) Report Stadio Olimpico, Rome Attendance: 73,603 Referee: Edgardo Codesal (Mexico) West Germany Argentina GK 1 Bodo Illgner SW 5 Klaus Augenthaler CB 6 Guido Buchwald CB 4 Jürgen Kohler RWB 14 Thomas Berthold  73' LWB 3 Andreas Brehme CM 8 Thomas Häßler CM 10 Lothar Matthäus (c) CM 7 Pierre Littbarski CF 9 Rudi Völler  52' CF 18 Jürgen Klinsmann Substitutes: GK 12 Raimond Aumann DF 2 Stefan Reuter  73' MF 15 Uwe Bein MF 20 Olaf Thon FW 13 Karl-Heinz Riedle Manager: Franz Beckenbauer GK 12 Sergio Goycochea SW 20 Juan Simón CB 18 José Serrizuela CB 19 Oscar Ruggeri  46' RWB 4 José Basualdo LWB 17 Roberto Sensini DM 13 Néstor Lorenzo CM 7 Jorge Burruchaga  53' CM 21 Pedro Troglio  84' SS 10 Diego Maradona (c)  87' CF 9 Gustavo Dezotti  5'  87' Substitutes: GK 22 Fabián Cancelarich DF 5 Edgardo Bauza DF 15 Pedro Monzón  65'  46' MF 6 Gabriel Calderón  53' FW 3 Abel Balbo Manager: Carlos Bilardo 2014 v Germany In 2014, Argentina reached the final for the fifth time and for a third time had to face the German team, making it the most "common" meeting for a final. In spite of a number of chances on both sides, regular time finished goalless. In the second half of extra time, substitute striker Mario Götze scored the decisive goal for Germany. 13 July 2014 16:00 UTC−3 Germany  1–0 (a.e.t.)  Argentina Götze  113' Report Estádio do Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro Attendance: 74,738 Referee: Nicola Rizzoli (Italy) Germany Argentina GK 1 Manuel Neuer RB 16 Philipp Lahm (c) CB 20 Jérôme Boateng CB 5 Mats Hummels LB 4 Benedikt Höwedes  34' CM 23 Christoph Kramer  31' CM 7 Bastian Schweinsteiger  29' RW 13 Thomas Müller AM 18 Toni Kroos LW 8 Mesut Özil  120' CF 11 Miroslav Klose  88' Substitutions: FW 9 André Schürrle  31' MF 19 Mario Götze  88' DF 17 Per Mertesacker  120' Manager: Joachim Löw GK 1 Sergio Romero RB 4 Pablo Zabaleta CB 15 Martín Demichelis CB 2 Ezequiel Garay LB 16 Marcos Rojo CM 14 Javier Mascherano  64' CM 6 Lucas Biglia RW 8 Enzo Pérez  86' LW 22 Ezequiel Lavezzi  46' SS 10 Lionel Messi (c) CF 9 Gonzalo Higuaín  78' Substitutions: FW 20 Sergio Agüero  65'  46' FW 18 Rodrigo Palacio  78' MF 5 Fernando Gago  86' Manager: Alejandro Sabella Record by opponent Argentina has played a total of 81 FIFA World Cup games through 17 tournaments facing 36 rivals. FIFA World Cup matches (by team) Opponent P W D L GF GA GD Confederation  France 3 2 0 1 6 5 1 UEFA  Mexico 3 3 0 0 11 5 6 CONCACAF  Chile 1 1 0 0 3 1 2 CONMEBOL  United States 1 1 0 0 6 1 5 CONCACAF  Uruguay 2 1 0 1 3 4 -1 CONMEBOL  Sweden 2 0 1 1 3 4 -1 UEFA  Germany 7 1 1 5 5 12 -7 UEFA  Northern Ireland 1 1 0 0 3 1 2 UEFA  Czechoslovakia 1 0 0 1 1 6 -5 UEFA  Bulgaria 3 2 0 1 3 2 1 UEFA  England 5 2 0 3 5 8 -3 UEFA  Hungary 3 2 1 0 6 2 4 UEFA  Spain 1 1 0 0 2 1 1 UEFA   Switzerland 2 2 0 0 3 0 3 UEFA  Poland 2 1 0 1 4 3 1 UEFA  Italy 5 1 1 3 4 6 -2 UEFA  Haiti 1 1 0 0 4 1 3 CONCACAF  Netherlands 5 2 1 2 4 7 -3 UEFA  Brazil 4 1 1 2 3 5 -2 CONMEBOL  East Germany* 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 UEFA  Peru 1 1 0 0 6 0 6 CONMEBOL  Belgium 3 2 0 1 3 1 2 UEFA  El Salvador 1 1 0 0 2 0 2 CONCACAF  South Korea 2 2 0 0 7 2 5 AFC  Cameroon 1 0 0 1 0 1 -1 CAF  Soviet Union* 1 1 0 0 2 0 2 UEFA  Romania 2 0 1 1 3 4 -1 UEFA  Serbia+ 2 2 0 0 6 0 6 UEFA  Greece 2 2 0 0 6 0 6 UEFA  Nigeria 5 5 0 0 9 4 5 CAF  Japan 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 AFC  Jamaica 1 1 0 0 5 0 5 CONCACAF  Croatia 2 1 0 1 1 3 -2 UEFA  Ivory Coast 1 1 0 0 2 1 1 CAF  Bosnia and Herzegovina 1 1 0 0 2 1 1 UEFA  Iran 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 AFC  Iceland 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 UEFA Teams in bold denote world cup winners, teams in italics show teams which played it first match ever in a World Cup against Argentina. Teams with a * mark no longer exist. East Germany was annexed to Germany. Soviet Union now plays as Russia. +Played as Yugoslavia and Serbia and Montenegro. Head coaches Through Argentinian team history, several coaches had trained it with different football styles from offensive to defensive tactics. There are two predominant 'football schools' about world champions coaches César Menotti who propagates possession and well-look play and Carlos Bilardo who prioritize results and tactical order. These head coaches divides Argentine fans kindly.[4] Other managers such as Marcelo Bielsa has got his own football style. In another way this list shows records in World Cups and in qualifying stages excluding friendlies. By tournament At FIFA World Cup In qualification Total Coach Years P W D L W % pts % P W D L W % pts % P W D L W % pts % Olazar and Tramutola 1930 5 4 0 1 80% 80% Not played 5 4 0 1 80% 80% Felipe Pascucci 1934 1 0 0 1 0% 0% Not played 1 0 0 1 0% 0% Guillermo Stábile 1958 3 1 0 2 33.3% 33.3% 4 3 0 1 75% 75% 9 6 0 3 66.6% 66.6% 1962 He did not manage this Cup 2 2 0 0 100% 100% Juan Carlos Lorenzo 1962 3 1 1 1 33.3% 50% He did not manage these qualifiers 7 3 2 2 42.9% 57.1% 1966 4 2 1 1 50% 62.5% José María Minella 1966 He did not manage this Cup 4 3 1 0 75% 87.5% 4 3 1 0 75% 87.5% Adolfo Pedernera 1970 Did not qualify 4 1 1 2 25% 37.5% 4 1 1 2 25% 37.5% Omar Sívori 1974 He did not manage this Cup 4 3 1 0 75% 87.5% 4 3 1 0 75% 87.5% Vladislao Cap 1974 6 1 2 3 16.7% 33.3% He did not manage these qualifiers 6 1 2 3 16.7% 33.3% César Menotti 1978 7 5 1 1 71.4% 78.6% Qualified as hosts 12 7 1 4 58.3% 62.5% 1982 5 2 0 3 40% 40% Qualified as defending champions Carlos Bilardo 1986 7 6 1 0 85.7% 92.9% 6 4 1 1 66.7% 75% 20 14 3 3 70% 75% 1990 7 4 1 2 57.1% 61.9% Qualified as defending champions Alfio Basile 1994 4 2 0 2 50% 50% 8 4 2 2 50% 62.5% 12 6 2 4 42.9% 52.4% 2010 He did not manage this Cup 10 4 4 2 40% 53.3% Daniel Passarella 1998 5 4 0 1 80% 80% 16 8 6 2 50% 62.5% 21 12 6 3 57.1% 66.6% Marcelo Bielsa 2002 3 1 1 1 33.3% 44.4% 18 13 4 1 72.2% 79.6% 18 13 4 1 66.7% 74.6% José Pekerman 2006 5 3 1 1 60% 73.3% 18 10 4 4 55.5% 62.9% 23 13 5 5 56.5% 63.7% Diego Maradona 2010 5 4 0 1 80% 80% 8 4 0 4 50% 50% 13 8 0 5 61.5% 61.2% Alejandro Sabella 2014 7 6 0 1 85.7% 85.7% 16 10 4 2 62.5% 70.8% 23 16 4 3 69.5% 75.3% Gerardo Martino 2018 He did not manage this Cup 6 3 2 1 50% 61.1% 6 3 2 1 50% 61.1% Edgardo Bauza 2018 He did not manage this Cup 8 3 2 3 37.5% 45.8% 8 3 2 3 37.5% 45.8% Jorge Sampaoli 2018 4 1 1 2 25% 33.3% 4 1 3 0 25% 50% 8 2 4 2 25% 41.7% From 1994 towards, three points are given for a win. Previously were two. Against conferences FIFA delegates regional qualification and other organization affairs to continental conferences, so it divides into six differents of them grouped by geographical location. Argentina plays in CONMEBOL conference in South America. Due to World Cup rules that two times of same confederation can not play in the same group in first round except for UEFA, it commonly faces teams which plays outside its continent most recently from Africa and Asia. Argentine national has never played versus an Oceanian (OFC) squad. FIFA World Cup matches (by conference) Confederation P W D L GF GA GD % of pts % of wins UEFA 55 26 8 21 74 68 6 52.12% 47.27% CONMEBOL 8 4 1 3 15 10 5 54.16% 50% CONCACAF 7 7 0 0 28 7 21 100% 100% CAF 7 6 0 1 11 6 5 85.71% 85.71% AFC 4 4 0 0 9 2 7 100% 100% Against debutants 'Albiceleste' has played against first-world-cup teams more than other, doing so 17 times, 7 of them being the first World Cup match ever. This list shows records versus those selections including all-debutants 1930 edition. Curiously Argentina's debut was versus France that previously had played before. Opponent P W D L GF GA GD Debutants 7 5 1 1 13 6 7 Teams in 1st their WC 17 13 2 2 45 18 27 Sweden, Bulgaria, Greece, Japan, Ivory Coast, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iceland played its first time against Argentina. France, Mexico, Chile, United States, Uruguay, Northern Ireland, Haiti, East Germany, Jamaica and Croatia played in its first world cup but after first game. Record players Diego Maradona has captained the team in 16 matches. His total of 21 matches is only beaten by three other players. No. Name Matches World Cups 1 Diego Maradona 21 1982, 1986, 1990 and 1994 2 Javier Mascherano 20 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018 3 Lionel Messi 19 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018 4 Mario Kempes 18 1974, 1978 and 1982 5 Oscar Ruggeri 16 1986, 1990 and 1994 6 Jorge Burruchaga 14 1986 and 1990 Gonzalo Higuaín 14 2010, 2014 and 2018 9 Ubaldo Fillol 13 1974, 1978 and 1982 Ángel Di María 13 2010, 2014 and 2018 Top goalscorers Rank Name Goals World Cups 1 Gabriel Batistuta 10 1994 (4), 1998 (5) and 2002 (1) 2 Guillermo Stábile 8 1930 Diego Maradona 8 1982 (2), 1986 (5) and 1994 (1) 4 Mario Kempes 6 1978 Lionel Messi 6 2006 (1), 2014 (4) and 2018 (1) 6 Gonzalo Higuaín 5 2010 (4) and 2014 (1) 7 Seven players 4 Goalscoring by tournament World Cup Goalscorer(s) 1930 Guillermo Stábile(8), Carlos Peucelle(3), Luis Monti(2), Adolfo Zumelzú(2), Mario Evaristo, Alejandro Scopelli, Francisco Varallo 1934 Ernesto Belis, Alberto Galateo 1958 Omar Oreste Corbatta(3), Ludovico Avio, Norberto Menéndez 1962 Héctor Facundo, José Sanfilippo 1966 Luis Artime(3), Ermindo Onega 1974 René Houseman(3), Héctor Yazalde(2), Rubén Ayala, Carlos Babington, Miguel Ángel Brindisi, Ramón Heredia 1978 Mario Kempes(6), Leopoldo Luque(4), Daniel Bertoni(2), René Houseman, Daniel Passarella, Alberto Tarantini 1982 Daniel Bertoni(2), Diego Maradona(2), Daniel Passarella(2), Osvaldo Ardiles, Ramón Díaz 1986 Diego Maradona(5), Jorge Valdano(4), Jorge Burruchaga(2), José Luis Brown, Pedro Pasculli, Oscar Ruggeri 1990 Claudio Caniggia(2), Jorge Burruchaga, Pedro Monzón, Pedro Troglio 1994 Gabriel Batistuta(4), Claudio Caniggia(2), Abel Balbo, Diego Maradona 1998 Gabriel Batistuta(5), Ariel Ortega(2), Claudio López, Mauricio Pineda, Javier Zanetti 2002 Gabriel Batistuta, Hernán Crespo 2006 Hernán Crespo(3), Maxi Rodríguez(3), Roberto Ayala, Esteban Cambiasso, Lionel Messi, Javier Saviola, Carlos Tevez 2010 Gonzalo Higuaín(4), Carlos Tevez(2), Martin Demichelis, Gabriel Heinze, Martin Palermo, Own Goal 2014 Lionel Messi(4), Ángel Di María, Gonzalo Higuaín, Marcos Rojo, Own Goal 2018 Sergio Agüero (2), Lionel Messi, Marcos Rojo, Ángel Di María, Gabriel Mercado Awards Team World Champions 1978 World Champions 1986 2nd Place 1930 2nd Place 1990 2nd Place 2014 Fair Play Award 1978 Individual Golden Ball 1978: Mario Kempes Golden Ball 1986: Diego Maradona Golden Ball 2014: Lionel Messi Silver Ball 1930: Guillermo Stábile Bronze Ball 1990: Diego Maradona Golden Boot 1930: Guillermo Stábile Golden Boot 1978: Mario Kempes Silver Boot 1986: Diego Maradona Silver Boot 1998: Gabriel Batistuta Silver Boot 2006: Hernán Crespo Golden Glove 1978: Ubaldo Fillol Golden Glove 1990: Sergio Goycochea (shared) Man of the Match award 2014: Lionel Messi José Pékerman won the FIFA Fair Play Trophy as a coach with Colombia in 2014. Records and statistics Standing alone Most played final against the same team: 3 times versus Germany in 1986, 1990 and 2014. Most played against the same team in same stage: 5 times versus Nigeria in 1994, 2002, 2010, 2014 and 2018 all in group stage. Last three of them make most times consecutive, too. All won by Argentina by one goal difference. Most played semifinals without losses: 5 times won in 1930 and 1986 while drawn in 1990 and 2014. Although in 1978 there weren't semifinals, Argentina won second round group ahead Brazil which disputed 3rd place match against Italy. Even more, game against Brazil ended in a 0-0 draw. Most played penalty shoot-outs: 5 (twice in 1990, 1998, 2006 and 2014). Fewest goals for a finalist: 1990. Youngest coach: Juan José Tramutola aged 27 years and 267 days in 1930.[5][6] Most hat-tricks scored in multiple editions: Gabriel Batistuta in 1994 against Greece and in 1998 against Jamaica.[7] Shared Most played against the same team: 7 times versus Germany in 1958, 1966, 1986, 1990, 2006, 2010 and 2014. Shared with Germany vs Yugoslavia/Serbia and Brazil vs Sweden. Most won penalty shoot-outs: 4 times (twice in 1990, 1998 and 2014). Shared with Germany. Most coached finals: 2 times by Carlos Bilardo in 1986 and 1990.[8] Shared with Italian Vittorio Pozzo (1934-1938), German Helmut Schön (1966-1974), Brazilian Mário Zagallo (1970-1998) and German Franz Beckenbauer who faced Bilardo in both two in 1986 and 1990. Miscellaneous Argentina's game versus West Germany in 1958 featured a yellow jersey instead traditional's light blue and white colors or blue as alternate. This was because both teams wear white jerseys creating confusion. As South American side forgot to bring an alternate one, they decided to borrow jersey from local team club Malmö. Germany won 3-1.[9][10] In 1978 France - Hungary match occurred something similar. Both teams arrived to the match with white jerseys, so France was forced to borrow Mar del Plata's local club Kimberley. France wore striped green and white keeping traditional's blue shorts and red socks winning 3-1.[11][12] That stadium José María Minella is the southernmost World Cup venue located at 38°0′0″S 57°33′0″W. Other than France vs. Hungary were played Italy vs. France, Italy vs. Hungary, Brazil vs. Sweden, Brazil vs. Spain and Brazil vs. Austria. Mar del Plata is on the south of Buenos Aires Province.[13] In addition, Argentina played against Nigeria at Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg in 2018 making the most northernmost game along other six matches. Russian's city is at 59°58′22.63″N 30°13′13.92″E.[14] Referees As a major CONMEBOL member, Argentina has been represented by match officials in nearly every tournament. In 2006, Horacio Elizondo refereed the final between France and Italy, where he sent off Zinedine Zidane after a headbutt to an opponent. In 2018, Néstor Pitana did it when France played versus Croatia. They are also the only two who refereed the opening game in the same tournament. External links Official website, at the Asociación del Fútbol Argentino's website FIFA world cup all-time table Notes Argentina's 100th WC goal References "1934 Qualy". rsssf.com. "Whitdraw decisions" (in Spanish). Diario Ovación. This is one of several goals for which the statistical details are disputed. The goalscorers and timings used here are those of FIFA, the official record. Some other sources, such as RSSSF, state a different scorer and/or timing. See "World Cup 1930 finals". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 3 December 2008. Retrieved 1 December 2008.. "Football school of play". Diario Clarín. "Youngest coach". fifa.com. "27 years". fifa.com. "hat-trick". fifa.com. "two finals". fifa.com. "Argentina Yellow". El Gráfico. "1958 coin toss". En una baldosa. "Kimberley". pinimg.com. "France-Hungary". www.squadnumbers.com. "José María Minella". www.rsssf.com. ""Zenit Arena"". fifa.com.