Argentina’s football association has created a special national day to remember the country’s World Cup semi final win over England.
The Argentine Football Association, AFA, has declared July 15 as National Football Teams Day. The decision comes after Argentina’s dramatic 2-1 victory over England in the 2026 World Cup semi final.
The AFA confirmed the decision after a meeting of its executive board on Wednesday.
“The date was chosen to commemorate Argentina’s historic victory over England in the World Cup semi-final,” the AFA said on its official website.
Argentina fell behind against England but produced a late comeback. Enzo Fernandez scored the equaliser before Lautaro Martinez struck the winner in added time.
“Lionel Scaloni’s team was trailing the English side by a single goal, but with goals from Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez, they turned the game around, sending the entire nation into a frenzy of celebration,” the AFA said.
However, the new day will not only honour the senior men’s team. The AFA said it will celebrate every Argentina national side.
“But the tribute isn’t just for that milestone achieved by the senior national team. The recognition, of course, also extends to each and every one of the national teams [youth, men’s and women’s, futsal, beach soccer, and field football], who train daily at the Lionel Andres Messi training complex with the hope, joy and responsibility of representing Argentina.”
The semi final celebrations later became a subject of a FIFA investigation.
Argentina players displayed a banner after beating England which claimed the Falkland Islands belonged to Argentina. FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against the AFA over the incident.
Argentina then faced Spain in the World Cup final and lost 1-0.
FIFA is also investigating Leandro Paredes and Nahuel Molina over their involvement in a brawl after the final. Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala is also under investigation over the same incident.
