FIFA President Names Argentina’s Iconic Goal as the Best in World Cup History

As we countdown to the FIFA World Cup 2026, hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, excitement in the football world is reaching a fever pitch. In a thrilling announcement, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has chosen what he believes to be the greatest goal in World Cup history—a selection that embodies the very essence of the sport.

Infantino’s choice has sent shockwaves through Argentina, as he highlighted the legendary goal scored by Diego Armando Maradona against England in the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. This unforgettable moment solidified Argentina’s path with a stunning second goal that led to a 2-0 lead, ultimately propelling the team into the next round.

In a heartfelt post shared on his social media, Infantino paired a clip of the legendary play with the famous narration by Victor Hugo Morales, declaring the goal as the “goal of the century.” When asked by a fan about his favorite World Cup goal, Infantino didn’t hesitate, stating emphatically, “Maradona’s second goal against England. I could never score a more beautiful goal myself.”

He elaborated further, emphasizing the unique brilliance of Maradona’s effort with a message accompanying the video: “Some goals are simply unforgettable. For me, it’s the second goal by Maradona against England in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. A moment of genius, creativity, and courage that defined what football is all about—a goal that could not possibly be more beautiful.”

Gianni Infantino often takes the time to engage with fans on social media, and this interaction spotlights the Argentine sentiment as excitement builds for the upcoming tournament. With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon and the global football spirit intensifying, Infantino’s endorsement reaffirms the historical significance of Maradona’s masterpiece, which helped Argentina secure a 2-1 victory over England in that crucial quarter-final, leading to their second World Cup title.

Looking ahead, the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the first ever to take place in three countries simultaneously, featuring a record 48 teams that will compete in 104 matches across 16 host cities in North America.

The anticipation for the event is unprecedented. In just two weeks since the official ticket sales opened, FIFA reported over 150 million requests from fans in more than 200 countries—an incredible 30 times greater than the estimated six to seven million tickets available. This extraordinary demand highlights the world’s growing enthusiasm for the tournament.

“In fifteen days, we received 150 million ticket requests. This shows the World Cup’s astounding draw,” Infantino stated recently. He also noted that this edition “promises to be the largest inclusive spectacle on the planet,” and the massive response is a clear indicator of the incredible interest it has generated among fans.

The Argentine national team will compete in Group J, kicking off their journey on Tuesday, June 16, against Algeria at Kansas City Stadium at 10 PM Argentine time. Their second match under coach Lionel Scaloni will feature a face-off against Austria on Monday at 2 PM (Argentine time) at Dallas Stadium. Finally, they will wrap up the group stage against Jordan on Saturday at 11 PM (Argentine time), also in Dallas.