Argentina has officially established July 15th as 'National Football Teams Day' to commemorate the dramatic victory of the national team over England in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This tribute extends to all national teams representing the country.
The decision was unanimously approved at a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Argentine Football Association, held at the Association's training center in Ezeiza. This date marks Argentina's memorable 2-1 victory over England in the 2026 World Cup semi-final.
After Lionel Scaloni's team fell behind following Anthony Gordon's goal in the second half, they managed to come back thanks to Enzo Fernández's equalizer in the 85th minute. Lautaro Martínez then scored the winning goal in stoppage time, securing their place in the final.
Explaining the decision, AFA stated that the date was chosen to immortalize Argentina's historic victory over England in the 2026 World Cup semi-final. The Association noted that Lionel Scaloni's team was only one goal behind England but managed to turn the game around with goals from Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez, sparking a wave of celebrations across the country.
The Federation emphasized that the recognition is not limited to the senior men's team. The statement added that the respect extends to all national teams, including youth, men's and women's teams, as well as futsal and beach soccer teams, who train daily at the Lionel Andrés Messi training complex with hope, joy, and responsibility for representing Argentina.
The semi-final became one of the defining matches of the tournament and sparked controversy after some Argentine players celebrated using chants and placards referencing the Falkland Islands, known in Argentina as the Malvinas. These celebrations drew criticism in England and reignited the long-standing sovereignty dispute between the two nations, although the result on the field remains one of Argentina's most glorious World Cup victories.
The new National Football Teams Day will be observed annually to honor the achievements and dedication of all Argentine national teams across various football disciplines.