Argentina news

Lionel Messi delivered a vintage performance at La Bombonera, recording a goal and an assist as Argentina dismantled Zambia 5-0 in their final home fixture before the 2026 World Cup. The Inter Miami icon captained the world champions to a dominant victory in what is expected to be the last home game he plays for his country.

GOAL breaks down all the confirmed qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, plus the teams who could soon be on their way.

The childhood home of Diego Maradona has undergone a significant transformation to serve the community in the wake of the legend’s passing. Located in the Villa Fiorito neighbourhood, the property is now being used as a soup kitchen to provide essential support to locals facing economic hardship.

How will tiebreakers work at the 2026 FIFA World Cup? The tournament is moving ever closer, with teams preparing to enter the group stages before embarking on their bid for glory. Here, GOAL breaks down how tie-breakers work, how group stage points are decided, and everything you need to know ahead of the big kick-off.

Which goalkeepers have won the FIFA World Cup Golden Glove award across the history of the competition? The award was introduced for the 1994 tournament, meaning plenty of iconic goalkeepers, including the likes of Gordon Banks and the initially eponymous Lev Yashin, missed out on the individual award. GOAL has everything you need to know about the award handed to the standout stopper at any single tournament.

After a 36-year wait, Argentina returned to the summit of world football with their 2022 World Cup triumph in Qatar. Though he didn’t feature, Sergio Aguero told GOAL it remains one of the greatest moments of his life, while backing the current squad to carry that same hunger, identity, and competitive edge into the 2026 tournament.

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has confirmed that Lionel Messi will return to the starting line-up for Tuesday's friendly against Zambia at La Bombonera. The veteran forward’s inclusion comes as the coaching staff looks to finalise their 26-man roster for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Scaloni eventually left his press conference while holding back tears after addressing an injury blow for one of the nation's rising stars.

Three-and-a-half years ago, Lionel Messi 'completed football' by leading Argentina to glory at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. It was a joy for every neutral to see the Barcelona legend finally lift the one trophy that had eluded him for so long, capping an amazing career that will almost certainly never be emulated.

Thanks to his performances, the striker has attracted the attention not only of the big clubs but also of the top nations.

Javier Saviola has named the “fantastic captain” that should replace Lionel Messi as Argentina skipper when the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner walks away from international football. That could happen after this summer’s World Cup in North America, with Messi yet to confirm whether he will be chasing down a second global title with the Albiceleste.

Nico Paz announced himself on the international stage with a moment of pure magic during Argentina’s friendly clash against Mauritania at La Bombonera. The 21-year-old playmaker left even the legendary Lionel Messi watching in awe from the bench as he whipped a sublime free-kick into the back of the net.

Argentina may have secured a victory in their latest international outing, but the mood in the camp is anything but celebratory. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has launched a scathing assessment of the national team following their underwhelming 2-1 victory over Mauritania. The World Cup winner was left fuming with the lack of intensity shown by Lionel Scaloni’s side against the African minnows.

Lionel Messi remains the biggest attraction in world football, as evidenced by the chaotic scenes following Argentina's latest friendly outing against Mauritania. Despite the competitive nature of the match, the full-time whistle sparked a dash from the opposition to secure a permanent memory with the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner.