The Argentine Football Association is the governing body of football in Argentina based in BUENOS AIRES. It organises the main divisions of Argentine league system, including and the Supercopa International. The body also manages all of Argentine’s national teams, including the Senior, U-20, U-17, U-15, Olympic and women’s squads. It also organizes the women’s, children, youth and other local leagues. The Argentina national football team, nicknamed la Albiceleste, represents Argentina in men’s international football and is administered by the Argentine Football Association, the governing body of football in Argentina. It has been a member of FIFA since 1912 and was a founding member of CONMEBOL in 1916. Argentina players have won the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball three times: Diego Maradona in 1986, and Lionel Messi in 2014 and 2022.
| CONMEBOL | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 21 February 1893; 133 years ago |
| Headquarters | Viamonte 1366, Argentina |
| FIFA affiliation | 1 July 1912; 114 years ago |
| CONMEBOL affiliation | 9 July 1916; 109 years ago |
| President | Claudio Tapia |
| Vice-President | Juan Román Riquelme |
| Website | afa.com.ar |
The AFA also organised all the Primera División championships from 1893 to 2016-17. From the 2017-18 season, the “Superliga Argentina”, an entity which was administered independently and had its own statute, took over the Primera División championships. Nevertheless, the Superliga was contractually linked with the main football body. The last championship organised by the Superliga was 2019-20 shortly after the season ended the body was dissolved.
History
The Argentine Association Football League was founded on 21 February 1893 by Alexander Watson Hutton , considered “the father” of Argentine football. The Argentine Association is the oldest in South America and one of the oldest outside Europe. In 1906, Florencio Martínez de Hoz became the first Argentine-born president of the association.
In 1912, the president of Gimnasia y Esgrima (BA), Ricardo Aldao, broke up with the association, establishing an own league, the “Federación Argentina de Football” which organized a parallel tournament. Some teams moved to the FAF were, Estudiantes (LP) and Atlanta. The league lasted until 1914 when rejoining Asociación Argentina de Football, forming a unique league for the 1915 season.
The second dissident league was formed in 1919 and named organizing its own championships (as FAF had done) until 1926 when it merged to the official association. The dissident league included some of the most prominent teams, such as River Plate, Racing, Independiente and San Lorenzo, with the exception that remained in the official “Asociación Argentina de Football”.
When both leagues merged for the 1927 season, the association was again renamed to “Asociación Amateur Argentina de Football” until the professionalization of the sport in 1931 when it switched to “Liga Argentina de Football”. The first round of the recently created professional championship was on 31 May 1931.
Despite football turning professional in Argentina, some clubs wanted to remain amateur, so they formed a new league, the “Asociación de Football Amateur y Profesionales”, which organized a parallel tournament until 1934 when the dissident association merged with LAF on 3 November 1934 to form the “Asociación del Football Argentino” which has remained since.
In 2015, during the presidential elections to elect a new president for the body, there were two candidates to occupy Julio Humberto Grondona’s chair –who wanted a change in how things were going, like eliminating corruption between some clubs and the AFA, who had taken charge after Grondona’s death, with the intention of extending his mandate.
With 75 presidents of different Argentine clubs voting, on election day something went wrong when the final count resulted in a draw of 38 to 38 (76 votes in total). The explanation given was that one of the electors put a double vote and that mistake was not reported. As a result, the executive committee decided to postpone the election.
After some meetings to put an end to the conflict, both candidates agreed to have another election in June 2016.
In June 2016, AFA president was charged with “aggravated administrative fraud”. Segura has been replaced on an interim basis by the AFA’s executive secretary, Damián Dupiellet.
In 2017, the association approved the creation of a new entity, named “Superliga Argentina de Fútbol”, which would take over the organization of the Primera División championship. The main European football leagues such as the English Premier League or the Spanish La Liga, that are organized by associations dedicated exclusively to those championships and run as separate entities from their respective National Associations, served as inspiration for the creation of the Superliga.
The 2016–17 Primera División championship was the last tournament organized by the AFA. Starting with the 2017-18 season to 2019-20 season, the Superliga Argentina, an entity administered by itself with its own statute, organised Primera División championships. In March 2020, AFA dissolved the Superliga and took over the Primera División again.
Names
The body has been renamed several times since its establishment in 1893, in most of the cases translating the original English names to Spanish. The list of names is the following:
- Argentine Association Football League (1893–1903)
- Argentine Football Association (1903–1912)
- Asociación Argentina de Football (1912–1927)
- Asociación Amateur Argentina de Football (1927–1931)
- Asociación de Football Amateurs y Profesionales (1931–1934)
- Asociación del Fútbol Argentino (1934–present)
Notes
- The organisation was founded with the same name as its predecessor, the AAFL of 1891
- Translated into Spanish as “Asociación del Fútbol Argentino” in 1946
Current board
As of 22 May 2024:
- President: Claudio Tapia
- Vice-presidents:
- Jorge Amor Ameal (Boca Juniors)
- Rodolfo D’Onofrio (River Plate)
- David Garzón (Huracán)
- Carlos Montaña (Def. de Belgrano)
- Guillermo Raed (C.A. Mitre)
- General Secretary: Víctor Blanco
- Treasurer: Pablo Toviggino
- Executive Secretary: Luís M. Chebel
- Men’s senior head coach: Lionel Scaloni
- Men’s U-20 head coach: Diego Placente
- Women’s head coach: Carlos Borrello
- National teams General Director: César Luis Menotti
Competitions
Official Competitions
The list of official competitions organized by the Argentine Football Association since its creation in 1893 are:
| Current competitions | |
| Name | Organised |
|---|---|
| Primera División | 1891, 1893–2017, 2020–present |
| Primera B | 1899–present |
| Primera C | 1900–present |
| Copa Argentina | 1969–1970, 2011–present |
| Primera Nacional | 1986–present |
| Primera División (Futsal) | 1986–present |
| Primera División A (Women´s) | 1991–present |
| Primera División B (Futsal) | 1998–present |
| Torneo del Interior (Women´s) | 2012–present |
| Supercopa Argentina | 2012–present |
| Torneo Federal A | 2014–present |
| Primera División C (Futsal) | 2014–present |
| Primera División B (Women`s) | 2016–present |
| Primera División D (Futsal) | 2017–present |
| Torneo Regional Federal | 2018–present |
| Liga Nacional de Futsal Argentina | 2018–present |
| Primera División C (Women´s) | 2019–present |
| Trofeo de Campeones de la Liga Profesional | 2020–present |
| Copa Federal de Fútbol Femenino | 2021–present |
| Supercopa Internacional | 2022–present |
| Torneo Promocional Amateur | 2024–present |
| Defunct competitions | |
| Copa de Honor Municipalidad de Buenos Aires | 1905–1936 |
| Copa de Competencia Jockey Club | 1913–1933 |
| Copa de Competencia La Nación | 1913–1914 |
| Copa Dr. Carlos Ibarguren | 1913–1958 |
| Copa Estímulo | 1920–1926 |
| Copa Presidente de la Nación | 1927–1989 |
| Copa Adrián C. Escobar | 1939–1949 |
| Campeonato de la República Copa Gral Pedro Ramírez | 1943–1945 |
| Copa de Competencia Británica | 1944–1948 |
| Primera D | 1950–2023 |
| Copa Suecia | 1958 |
| Torneo Regional | 1967–1986 |
| Torneo del Interior | 1986–1995 |
| Copa Centenario de la AFA | 1993 |
| Torneo Argentino A | 1995–2014 |
| Torneo Argentino B | 1995–2014 |
| Torneo Argentino C | 2005–2014 |
| Torneo Nacional de Futsal | 2008–2017 |
| Copa Campeonato | 2013–2014 |
| Torneo Federal B | 2014–2017 |
| Torneo Federal C | 2015–2018 |
| Copa Bicentenario | 2016 |
| Copa de la Liga Profesional | 2020–2024 |
The FIFA World Cup 2026 is the 23rd edition of the men’s tournament, hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026, featuring a new format with 48 teams in 12 groups, culminating in a 32-team knockout stage. It’s the first World Cup with three host nations and the first to expand to 48 teams, increasing the total number of matches to 104. The knockout stage begins June 28, with the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Key Details
- Hosts: United States (11 cities), Mexico (3 cities), and Canada (2 cities).
- Dates: June 11 – July 19, 2026.
- Teams: 48 national teams.
- Format: 12 groups of four teams; top two from each group plus the eight best third-placed teams advance to a 32-team knockout stage.
- Total Matches: 104 (72 in group stage, 32 in knockout stage).
- Final: July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Tournament Structure
- Group Stage: 12 groups (A-L) with four teams each. The top two from each group automatically qualify for the knockout stage.
- Knockout Stage: A single-elimination tournament starting with the Round of 32, featuring the 24 group winners/runners-up and the eight best third-placed teams.
The tournament began on June 11, 2026, and will conclude on 19 July 2026. It’s that time! Who wins #FIFAWorldCup2026? Drop your predictions below Photo by FIFA 2026 World Cup Prediction on June 10, 2026. Argentina rallied from two goals down to overcome Egypt in the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup 2026, Enzo Fernandez grabbing a dramatic winner.
Argentina 3-2 Egypt
Argentina goals: Romero (79), Messi (84), Fernandez (90+2) Egypt goals: Ibrahim (15), Ziko (67)
Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Ziko had Hossam Hassan’s Pharaohs on the cusp of one of the competition’s greatest upsets at Atlanta Stadium, but late goals form Cristian Romero, Lionel Messi and Enzo Fernandez transformed the outcome.
Yasser Ibrahim headed Egypt into a shock lead, before Mostafa Shoubir protected it magnificently. The goalkeeper dived south-west to save a Messi penalty, which Nicolas Tagliafico had craftily earned, and made superb stops from Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez. Egypt thought they had made it two just before the hour. Haissem Hassan made an imperial dash down the right and fed Salah, who enabled Ziko to ripple the net. The goal was, however, ruled out for a foul in the build-up. It merely delayed the Al Ahly man doubling the lead, though, as he finished off a rapid counter-attack involving Salah and Hassan. It left Egypt on the cusp of victory, but after Romero pulled one back, Messi’s brilliant finish equalised and Fernandez completed an epic survival story.
Stats
- Mostafa Shoubeir, who repelled a spot-kick from IR Iran’s Mehdi Taremi in the group stage, became only the fourth goalkeeper to save two penalties in games in one World Cup. The 26-year-old emulated Pole Jan Tomaszewski, American Brad Friedel and another Pole in Wojciech Szczesny.
- Enzo Fernandez scored the 3,000th goal in World Cup history.
Michelob Ultra Superior Player of the Match
Lionel Messi (Argentina)
What they said…
“I can’t look up, I’m sorry. I’m really emotional right now. What a group of players. That’s it, I’ve got to go.” Lionel Scaloni, Argentina coach
“I’d been longing for that goal for about three years, since the Qatar World Cup. Being able to experience moments like this, honestly, I thank God, I’m privileged. And I want to highlight my teammates – we have a phenomenal group, a group that never gives up no matter the difficulties and adversity. We’re always together. Thanks to my teammates, to the coaching staff, and to everyone cheering us on here and all the Argentinians back home in Argentina. One more step forward.” Enzo Fernandez, Argentina midfielder.
Match Overview
Ruben Vargas scored the winning penalty as Switzerland set up a quarter-final with Lionel Messi and Co.
Switzerland 0-0 Colombia (4-3 PSO)
Switzerland will take on Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2026™ last eight after edging Colombia on penalties following a gritty goalless draw in Vancouver.
Ruben Vargas fired home the winning kick to send the Swiss to their first quarter-final in over seven decades, this following failed attempts from Colombia duo Davinson Sanchez and Cucho Hernandez.
Murat Yakin’s side had been dealt a major pre-match blow with the news that Johan Manzambi, the team’s breakout star, had been ruled out with a knee injury. The absence of the livewire attacker was certainly felt in a forgettable first half, which Colombia dominated without creating any clear-cut chances.
Their best effort came in the shape of a Gustavo Puerta curler from just outside the box, which forced the impressive Gregor Kobel into an acrobatic save.
Clear sights of goal were rare, and that made it all the more frustrating for Colombia’s fans when Luis Suarez took aim midway through the second half and sliced wastefully wide.
At the other end, Camilo Vargas’ only employment came when Switzerland winger Fabian Rieder rifled in a left-foot volley that required a solid, if routine, save. Extra time offered more excitement, with Colombia’s Jhon Lucumi rattling the crossbar with a header, Swiss substitute Zeki Amdouni forcing a save from Vargas and Jaminton Campaz blazing over when it seemed easier to score.
Penalties were required to settle the outcome, and after Sanchez had blasted his against the underside of the crossbar and Hernandez was denied by Kobel, Vargas slotted home decisively to send the Swiss through.
Stats
- Switzerland have qualified for the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 1954.
- Switzerland have lost only one of their last 19 international matches.
Michelob Ultra Superior Player of the Match
Gregor Kobel (Switzerland)
What they said…
“I don’t think I’ve fully realized it yet. I thank God for this moment. I wasn’t even sure if I would be able to play. We somehow managed to give it a try, and looking back now, I’m just grateful and happy that I was able to help the team. The team worked incredibly hard and fought for more than 120 minutes. It wasn’t easy to play football here today. And now we’ve made history. It simply feels amazing.” Ruben Vargas, Switzerland forward
“I don’t think you want to hear my match plan today, but it worked out exactly the way we wanted it to. And in the end, that’s what matters. It wasn’t just about that, though. At the start, we needed experience. We needed the right mentality. Then, in the second half, we made a substitution that gave us even more control, especially in possession. And as the game went on, we were also able to bring on the players we wanted for the penalty shootout. You always have a plan. When it works out in the end, it’s all the more satisfying. Of course, we also had a bit of luck today, and that’s part of football.” Murat Yakin, Switzerland coach
“I think this generation we have now is a special one. Hopefully we’ll see another one like it one day, but we’ve been waiting a long time for a group like this. We, the more experienced players, are being pushed by the younger ones, and at the same time we have to lead by example every single day and every single game. Of course, we try to pass on our experience, but above all the mentality that, even as a small nation, anything is possible at this level, in elite football. From the coaching staff to the last player, we can all be proud of what we’ve achieved. Granit Xhaka, Switzerland captain “I think this national team was destined for better things. I simply want to thank the whole country and the people who filled the stadium here. Let’s hope this is a major turning point, because what this team showed at this World Cup has to be viewed from the positive side.”
Match Overview
The Pharaohs held a commanding 2-0 lead until the 79th minute, heavily frustrating the defending world champions. Argentina’s captain, Lionel Messi, uncharacteristically missed a first-half penalty which was saved spectacularly by Egyptian goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir. However, a late onslaught by Argentina shattered Egyptian hearts with three goals scored in a 13-minute span. What was the VAR controversy in the second half of Argentina vs Egypt?
A disallowed goal by VAR, a string of yellow cards for Egypt and contrasting emotions by both captains capped the match.
French referee Francois Letexier speaks with Egypt’s Mohamed Salah during the match Argentina’s dreams of retaining their World Cup trophy remain alive but have been tainted by controversial refereeing decisions as the holders pulled off a comeback win despite Egypt’s valiant fight in a highly charged atmosphere at Atlanta Stadium.
The reigning world champions trailed the Pharaohs before completing a 3-2 comeback win in their last-16 match on Tuesday. With less than a third of the normal time remaining on the clock, Egypt were on the brink of dumping out the world champions as they led 2-0 despite having a goal disallowed.
Cristian Romero’s headed goal cut the deficit in half in the 79th minute and, four minutes later, Lionel Messi scored his eighth goal of the tournament to make it 2-2 and keep alive Argentina’s title defence.
Enzo Fernandez sealed the deal for the South Americans in the third minute of stoppage time when he got on the end of a cross from Lautaro Martinez and headed brilliantly into the bottom corner to complete a stunning turnaround of three goals in 13 minutes.
What was the VAR controversy in the Argentina vs Egypt World Cup match?
Egypt will forever be remembered for giving Argentina a run for their money, but with a sense of injustice after a video assistant referee (VAR) decision ruled out a Mostafa Ziko goal when Egypt were winning 1-0, although he later found the back of the net again to make it 2-0.
Ziko was at the end of a brilliant run by Egypt as Salah laid up the ball for him in front of goal and the number 11 slotted it in from close range. He then launched a wild celebration, taking off his shirt on a run, but Egypt’s joy turned into sorrow minutes later as VAR spotted a foul in the build-up to the goal, deeming it void. Match commentators had stated at the time that the decision was beyond VAR’s remit, but the decision can be interpreted differently according to the International Football Association Board’s (IFAB) rulebook, the Laws of the Game.
VAR can be used in “the period of play before and after an incident that can be reviewed is determined by the Laws of the Game and VAR protocol,” according to IFAB’s rules.
Additionally, a review is allowed for “attacking team offence in the build-up to or scoring of the goal (handball, foul, offside etc).”
How many yellow cards were given in Argentina vs Egypt?
The Pharaohs’ brilliant run unravelled after Argentina took the lead, as the referee dished out yellow card after yellow card to Mohamed Salah’s side.
The first one was given to goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir, then to Hamdi Fathy, followed by one for Marwan Attia for a foul.
Egypt felt they deserved a penalty before the breakaway and vociferously complained but to no avail, save for head coach Hossam Hassan being shown a yellow card for arguing with the referee as talisman and captain Salah tried to mediate in the heat of the moment.
What happened after the full-time whistle in the Argentina vs Egypt match?
Salah’s side was in a state of shock as the referee blew the full-time whistle on what was likely the 35-year-old’s final match for Egypt on the biggest stage.
Elsewhere on the field, Salah’s Argentinian counterpart was in tears; Messi scored his 21st World Cup goal to not only equalise but inspire Argentina to stage a stunning comeback and advance to the quarterfinals.
World Cup 2026 quarterfinals: Full schedule and Egypt FIFA dispute
quarterfinals are set, with eight teams advancing as Egypt’s FIFA controversy and VAR decisions prompt debate. World Cup Golden Boot: Messi leads Mbappe, Haaland before quarterfinals
Messi is the top goal scorer after tallying his eighth against Egypt, with Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe next best.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi again leads the Golden Boot scoring race at World Cup 2026 Messi’s goal brought Argentina back on level terms after they were 2-0 down in the match in Atlanta, and also helped him break away from the rest of the pack.
For three days, French talisman Kylian Mbappe and Argentinian great Lionel Messi rubbed shoulders as the joint leaders – with seven goals apiece – in the race to be the tournament’s top goal scorer, but Haaland’s double in Norway’s round of 16 win against Brazil put him level with both on Sunday.
When the World Cup’s knockout stage began, Messi became the first to reach seven goals when Argentina beat Cape Verde on Friday, and Mbappe matched him a day later as France beat Paraguay.
England’s Harry Kane took his tally to six goals after scoring in England’s thrilling 3-2 win over Mexico late on Sunday.
Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal and Mbappe’s teammate Ousmane Dembele are hot on their heels with four goals each.
Here’s everything you need to know about FIFA’s Golden Boot award:
What’s the FIFA Golden Boot award and how is it decided?
FIFA’s Golden Boot is awarded to the player with the most goals at the end of the tournament.
If two players are tied on the same number of goals at the end of the tournament, then the player with the most assists will win the award.
Which players are the top goal scorers at World Cup 2026?
- Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 8 goals, 1 assist
- Kylian Mbappe (France) – 7 goals, 2 assists
- Erling Haaland (Norway) – 7 goals, 0 assists
- Harry Kane (England) – 6 goals, 1 assist
- Ousmane Dembele (France) – 4 goals, 2 assists
- Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain) – 4 goals, 1 assist
How many Golden Boot awards have current World Cup players won?
Mbappe, Kane and James Rodriguez are all looking to bag the top goal-scorer prize for a second time.
England’s Kane won the award in 2018 in Russia, while Colombia’s Rodriguez was the top scorer in 2014 in Brazil.
No player has ever won the award more than once.
Which player has scored the most goals in a single World Cup?
French forward Just Fontaine holds the record after scoring an incredible 13 goals at the 1958 tournament in Sweden.
Sandor Kocsis scored 11 at the 1954 tournament in Switzerland, while West Germany’s Gerd Muller bagged 10 at the World Cup 1970 in Mexico.
Who has scored the most goals in FIFA World Cup history?
- Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 21
- Kylian Mbappe (France) – 19
- Miroslav Klose (Germany) – 16
- Ronaldo (Brazil) – 15
- Harry Kane (England) and Gerd Muller (West Germany) – 14
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