FIFA President Gianni Infantino has expressed his admiration for the Argentina national football team following their impressive journey in the 2026 World Cup, where they finished as runners-up. In a letter addressed to Claudio Tapia, President of the Argentine Football Association (AFA), Infantino congratulated the team on reaching the World Cup final for the second consecutive time.

Argentina faced Spain in the final match held in New Jersey, USA, where they suffered a narrow 0-1 defeat. Despite this setback, Infantino highlighted the significant contributions of Argentina to the tournament, which featured 48 teams for the first time and was co-hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada. He noted that the event was marked by thrilling matches, the emergence of young talents, and a vibrant atmosphere in the stands.

In his letter, Infantino praised Lionel Messi and his teammates, stating that their performances helped create a memorable World Cup experience for fans around the globe. He also extended his gratitude to everyone involved with the team, including players, coaching staff led by Lionel Scaloni, medical teams, and the passionate supporters who stood by the team throughout the competition.

Although Argentina could not defend their title, having won the previous World Cup, their journey in 2026 was nothing short of remarkable. The team won all their group stage matches, witnessed Messi scoring six goals in three games, and executed a thrilling comeback against Egypt before defeating England in the semifinals.

Infantino emphasized that these successes were a result of professionalism, dedication, and a love for football. He remains optimistic that Argentina will have many more opportunities to pursue major titles in the future.