Argentina have won the FIFA World Cup three times: in 1978, 1986 and 2022. They have reached seven World Cup finals in all.

Their World Cup history goes back to the first edition in 1930, when they reached the final but lost 4-2 to Uruguay. It took them 48 years to reach another final, and when they did, under César Luis Menotti, they beat the Netherlands 3-1 after extra time to win their first title. They added a second eight years later in 1986, and a third, led by Lionel Messi, in Qatar in 2022.

FIFA World Cups won by Argentina 

Year

Final opponent

Score

Host

1978

Netherlands

3-1 (after extra time)

Argentina

1986

West Germany

3-2

Mexico

2022

France

3-3 (after extra time), 4-2 on penalties

Qatar

Argentina at 1978 World Cup

Argentina hosted the mega event for the first time in their history and all eyes were on Luis Menotti’s men, who entered the tournament as the favourites. They had some tough competitors like the Dutch side starred by Johan Cruyff and the defending champions West Germany, but they managed to overcome all difficulties. 

The Albiceleste were placed in a tough group, which also had Italy, France and Hungary. They finished second in the group with two wins and a defeat (to Italy) and progressed to the second round. 

They were up against Netherlands in the final, who had lost the last edition’s final as well. Mario Kempes’ early goal for the hosts was cancelled out by a late equaliser from Dirk Nanninga. In extra time, Kempes scored again before Bertoni gave them a two-goal cushion.

Argentina won their first-ever FIFA World Cup in front of their home fans that edition and it was the beginning of a golden era in their football history. 

Argentina at 1986 World Cup

Diego Maradona inspired Argentina to one of the greatest ever World Cup triumphs in 1986. The tournament in Mexico had 24 teams, and head coach Carlos Bilardo steered the 1978 champions through the group stage into the round of 16. 

They had a few tricky outings in the knockouts, facing former champions Uruguay and England, but Maradona was not to be fazed by any challenge. In the quarter-finals against England, he scored the infamous “hand of god” goal, followed by what many believe is the goal of the century to take them into the finals. 

Maradona scored twice again in the semi-finals against Belgium, setting up a date with European hotshots West Germany for the title. Goals from Jose Luis Brown and Jorge Valdano gave them a two-goal lead but the Germans, just like they did in the 1954 final, fought back to level the scores. 

Unfortunately for them, the joy did not last long: Rudi Völler equalised in the 81st minute, and Argentina scored the winner three minutes after West Germany’s second goal. Jorge Burruchaga’s 84th minute strike sealed the deal for Bilardo’s team and Maradona, who was awarded the Golden Ball, became a world champion in international football.

Argentina at 2022 World Cup

Argentina’s third title came in Qatar in one of the great World Cup finals, against France at the Lusail Stadium on 18 December 2022. Messi scored a penalty and Ángel Di María added a second before half-time, but Kylian Mbappé scored twice in two minutes late in the second half to take the game to extra time.

Messi put Argentina ahead again in extra time, Mbappé completed his hat-trick with another penalty, and the final finished 3-3. Argentina won the shoot-out 4-2, with Gonzalo Montiel scoring the winning kick. Messi won the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player, and goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez won the Golden Glove.

The World Cup finals Argentina lost

Argentina have also lost four finals: 4-2 to Uruguay in 1930, 1-0 to West Germany in 1990, 1-0 to Germany after extra time in 2014, and 1-0 to Spain after extra time at the 2026 World Cup in the United States. That makes seven finals in total: three won and four lost.

Photo Credit: Alamy