How many World Cups has Argentina won? Full history of La Albiceleste's all-time record, results in FIFA final

Nowadays, when soccer fans hear the word "Argentina," Lionel Messi pops into the vast majority of their heads. With how mainstream and notable social media has spoken about "The Little Boy From Rosario," many fans forget about the storied history Argentina has at the World Cup.

The South Americans are just one of six countries to have emerged victorious at more than one tournament. La Albiceleste is one of South America's most successful teams at the World Cup, trailing only Brazil for the most tournaments won by teams from the continent.

With Argentina having two of the top players in soccer's history (Messi and Diego Maradona), fans should become familiar with the history behind all of the country's World Cup success in the past.

Here is more on how many World Cups Argentina has won in its tournament history. 

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How many World Cups has Argentina won?

Before the 2026 World Cup concluded, Argentina had won three World Cup trophies through its men's national team history.

2022 World Cup

Argentina's most recent World Cup win was safely one for the ages. La Albiceleste started off the match hot, with a Messi penalty kick in the 23rd minute and then a beautiful team goal capped with Angel Di Maria slotting it past Hugo Lloris in France's net. The 2-0 scoreline stuck from the 36th minute on until Kylian Mbappe reminded the world why he is one of the best forwards in the world.

In the span of 95 seconds, the Frenchman was able to score not once, but twice, to equalize for Les Bleus. The game then went into extra time, a period that featured another Messi goal, which just barely got over France's goal line. After Gonzalo Montiel slightly extended his arm away from his body, his arm blocked a Mbappe shot from inside Argentina's box, which led to a penalty kick and a final hat trick for the French forward.

Incredible 🇫🇷⚽️ pic.twitter.com/zuH9JtbhES

With three goals apiece, the two sides needed a penalty shootout to determine a victor. France led off the shootout with a thunderous Mbappe strike, followed by a finesse-featured Messi counter. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez saved the second shot from Les Bleus' Kingsley Coman, followed by a second consecutive unsuccessful attempt from Aurelien Tchouameni that drifted wide. The Argentinians converted on their next two shots, including a redeeming final shot from Montiel, to clinch the 2022 World Cup.

1986 World Cup

The 1986 World Cup final was significant for multiple reasons. Along with playing in front of 114,600 people at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, it was Argentinian star Diego Maradona's first time playing in a World Cup final. Similar to the 2022 final, La Albiceleste started off the match with two goals (Jose Brown 23' and Jorge Valdano 56').

Later in the second half, however, West Germany was able to equalize courtesy of Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in the 74th minute and Rudolf Voller in the 81st. This Voller equalizer lit a spark under the Argentinians, and the South American side was able to find a winning goal just three minutes later from Jorge Burruchaga.

1978 World Cup

At the 1978 tournament set in Argentina, the host country was able to emerge victorious for the first time after downing the Netherlands 3-1. It was the hosts who struck first, thanks to Mario Kempes scoring his first of two. The score remained 1-0 until the 82nd minute when Dirk Nanninga equalized for the Dutch.

Heading into extra time after a bruise-filled first 90 minutes, the hosts pulled through with goals from Kempes and Daniel Bertoli. When the whistle blew in Buenos Aires, every fan of La Albiceleste celebrated their first World Cup title.

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Argentina World Cup final appearances

Argentina has played in six World Cup finals throughout its history and has won three of those matches. Their three wins came in 1978, 1986, and 2022, while their runner-up finishes came in 1930, 1990, and 2014.

When was the last time Argentina played in the World Cup final?

Argentina's most recent appearance in a World Cup final came in 2022. In a match for the ages, Messi was able to lead Argentina to their first World Cup win since 1986. The "Little Boy From Rosario" was able to net two goals, along with a successful attempt during the penalty shootout, and deliver La Albiceleste their first World Cup trophy since Diego Maradona lifted it in 1986.

Here is a look at the 2022 World Cup final highlights:

Which team has won the most World Cups?

Argentina is one of six countries to win multiple World Cups, and is actually the only current country to have three at the moment. The Argentines are the most recent winners, thanks to Messi and Co. emerging victorious from the Qatar tournament. 

Here are all the countries that have won a World Cup: