According to Argentina’s World Cup history, the nation has produced two of the tournament’s most iconic figures: Diego Maradona, whose 1986 campaign is widely regarded as a leading factor in Argentina’s title that year, and Lionel Messi, the only player to win the World Cup Golden Ball more than once, receiving the award in 2014 and 2022.
Argentina has appeared in 19 World Cups (1930, 1934, 1958, 1962, 1966, 1974, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026) and hosted the tournament in 1978. The team has been champion three times, in 1978, 1986 and 2022. Its all-time World Cup record stands at 47 wins, 24 losses and 17 draws, with 152 goals scored, 101 conceded and a goal differential of plus-51.
On individual records, Messi holds the Argentine marks for most World Cup appearances (26) across five tournaments (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022) and most career World Cup goals for the country (13). Guillermo Stábile’s eight goals at the 1930 tournament remain the most scored by an Argentine at a single World Cup.
Recent tournament results include Argentina’s 2022 title, secured by a 4-2 penalty victory over France after a 3-3 draw in extra time; Messi was named tournament best player, Enzo Fernández earned best young player and Emiliano Martínez received best goalkeeper. Other notable finishes: runners-up in 1930, 1990 and 2014 (2014 final lost to Germany 1-0 after extra time), champions in 1978 and 1986 (Maradona was named best player in 1986; Mario Kempes was top scorer with six goals and the best player in 1978).
All-time tournament rosters provided include the 2026 squad, featuring Lionel Messi, Julián Álvarez, Emiliano Martínez and manager Lionel Scaloni, and the 2022 and 2018 squads, which also listed Messi and a core of regular internationals across recent editions.
