The Argentine team won against Switzerland to win a ticket to the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup and stand before the opportunity to win the world championship for the second consecutive time, this is a great joy for the Argentine people - one of the countries with the strongest and deepest passion for football on the planet.
For Argentina, football is not just a sport or form of entertainment, but also a "common language", a cultural identity, a national brand that people across the country are proud of.
The love for football of Argentinians originates from the long history of the king sport in this country.
The Argentine Football Association (AFA), founded in 1893, proudly affirms itself as "the oldest football federation in South America and the 8th oldest in the world".
From the late 19th century to the early 20th century, local clubs such as Alumni, River Plate and Boca Juniors were born one after another, creating classic confrontations and a culture of passionate fans.
After that, Argentina rose to become a football power, when combining English football style with Latin American identity.
Unlike the English playing style that values physical discipline, Argentina's characteristic playing style focuses more on elegance, personal technique, improvisation and creative inspiration - a football school that later produced legends like Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi.
The Argentine national team quickly became a power of South American football. They are the most successful team in the history of the Copa America tournament with 16 championships. Argentina also has 2 Finalissima championships and 3 World Cup championships (1978, 1986 and 2022).
In Argentina, football is present in every aspect of daily life.
Photographer Camila Faraci shared in an interview that: "Like many children in Argentina, before I was named, I had a team to cheer for.
Football connects families and communities in a way that very few other things can do.
Weekend matches have become a familiar ritual.
Stadiums like La Bombonera or El Monumental are not only places where matches take place, but are also considered "saints of emotions", famous for match-long songs, drums and giant banners creating an extremely passionate atmosphere.
What makes Argentina different is that football in lower leagues is also lived by fans with a level of enthusiasm and dedication almost no different from matches in the national championship.
Whether it is on the field of a First Division team or a small football field in lower leagues, the exciting atmosphere is still created by loyalty, cheers and intense emotional investment equally.
Football in Argentina does not only exist in stadiums. Wandering around the capital Buenos Aires or almost any city in Argentina, it is difficult to avoid the presence of football.
Mural art, graffiti and street art honor clubs, legends and historical moments.
Images of Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, World Cup championships and legends of each club covered the walls in the neighborhood.
In many cities, art inspired by football has become a part of the urban landscape, reflecting the team representing that area as well as the pride that people have for their team.
The Argentine national team brings all those emotions to the world stage, especially at this year's World Cup.
Argentina fans support "La Albiceleste" not just simply cheering for 11 players on the field.
That is to encourage a country that always sees itself in the spirit of determination, creativity and the ability to overcome adversity.
It is the emotional connection of Argentine football fans that has made football legends cultural symbols.
They are remembered not only for their titles or goals, but also for what they symbolize for ordinary people: hope, pride and belief that Argentina can hold their heads high in front of the world.
