Argentina Poised to Make Unprecedented Soccer History at 2024 Olympics.

Throughout the over-century-long history of modern football, no nation has simultaneously held the World Cup, continental championship, and Olympic gold medal, except for Argentina, should they win the men’s soccer event at the 2024 Olympics.

Currently, Argentina is the reigning champion of the World Cup, Copa America, and the Intercontinental Cup (Finalissima). The team from the land of Tango is preparing to add the Olympic gold medal to their collection, provided they win all their matches leading up to the final of the men’s soccer event at the 2024 Olympics.

In the history of modern football, no team has held the world champion title, continental champion title, and Olympic gold simultaneously. Men’s soccer has been a part of the Olympic Games since 1900, making it 124 years since its inception. Although there have been strong teams that won the Olympic gold, such as the Great Britain team from 1900 to 1912, the World Cup and EURO had not yet been established, preventing them from holding all three prestigious titles concurrently.

Uruguay won Olympic gold in 1924 and 1928, followed by the World Cup in 1930. However, Uruguay lost the Copa America title to Argentina in 1929. When Uruguay regained the South American championship in 1935, the World Cup title had already passed to Italy. Thus, Uruguay never held the World Cup, Copa America, and Olympic gold simultaneously.

Hungary, a formidable team in the 1950s, won Olympic gold in 1952 but lost to West Germany in the 1954 World Cup final. Additionally, the EURO was not established until 1960, preventing Hungary from having the opportunity to hold all major titles simultaneously.

In the 1970s, West Germany won the World Cup in 1974 and Olympic gold in 1976 but unexpectedly lost the EURO 1976 final to Czechoslovakia. Similarly, France won EURO 1984 and Olympic gold the same year but could not win the World Cup during that period. From 2008 to 2012, Spain was exceptionally strong, winning EURO 2008 and 2012, and the 2010 World Cup, but failed to secure Olympic gold during this period. Brazil, from 2016 to 2020, won Olympic gold in 2016 and 2020 and the Copa America in 2019, but did not win the World Cup during this time.

Only Argentina stands before a historic opportunity to unify all major football titles. The Tango team won the 2022 World Cup, the 2021 and 2024 Copa America titles. If they secure the Olympic gold medal in Paris 2024, Argentina will make history by achieving something the football world has not seen in over 100 years: holding all the most prestigious titles in world football.

Should they win the 2024 Olympic gold, Argentina will hold the three major titles (World Cup, continental championship, and Olympic gold) for at least two more years until the 2026 World Cup kicks off.

Not only is Argentina dominating on a team level, but they also boast the player holding all major individual football awards. Lionel Messi of Argentina currently holds the Ballon d’Or and the FIFA Best Player award, underscoring Argentina’s unparalleled dominance in global football.

Argentina is on the verge of creating an unprecedented milestone in football history, setting a record that may stand for another century.