The rivalry between Brazil and Argentina in football is one of the most intense in the world, and the 2026 World Cup reignites this historic dispute. While the Brazilian national team seeks to recover after a recent draw against Tunisia (1-1 on 18/11/2025), Argentina advances to the quarter-finals against England this Wednesday (15/7). Brazil's last win was against England (2-0) in their last friendly, but recent form shows two losses and a draw in the last four games (DWLW).

Why are Brazil and Argentina rivals?

The rivalry goes far beyond football. Since the formation of the two countries, Brazil and Argentina have competed for influence in South America, with conflicts such as the Cisplatine War (1825–1828). In the 19th century, the dispute was political and economic, but today football keeps this rivalry alive. "They are two neighboring countries that have football as a national passion and have produced some of the greatest players in history," explains expert Iuri Cavlak.

How did football intensify the rivalry?

One of the first chapters took place in 1946, in the final of the South American Championship, when a brawl after a broken leg of José Salomón cooled relations between the teams for a decade. Years later, the comparison between Pelé and Maradona further fueled the dispute. While Pelé led Brazil to three World Cup titles, Maradona became the symbol of Argentina by winning the 1986 World Cup and scoring the "Goal of the Century."

What does the 2026 World Cup mean for this rivalry?

Argentina, the current world champion, faces England in the quarter-finals and could advance to face Spain next Sunday (19/7). With three World Cup trophies (1978, 1986, and 2022), the Argentine team is in a winning period that bothers part of the Brazilian fans. "Argentina won the Copa América in 2021, then the World Cup in 2022, another Copa América and now is in the World Cup semi-final. This new period of winning Argentine football is what is bothering sectors of the Brazilian fans," says the expert.