Where are the parades and celebrations of soccer titles in Argentina?
Argentina can win the third global title in their history when they face France in the 2022 World Cup at Lusail Stadium on Sunday.
Argentina can lift their third World Cup when they face France in the final on Sunday, but - perhaps in a bid to avoid tempting fate - there has been no official confirmation on the Albiceleste’s plans for celebrating what would be the country’s greatest soccer success since 1986.
Open-top buses have been lined up outside the final venue, Lusail Stadium, for the winning team to parade the trophy in Qatar in the immediate aftermath of the match. What might happen once a victorious Argentina arrived back on home soil can only be deduced from previous trophy triumphs, however.
2021 Copa América celebrations limited by covid-19
For the most recent precedent, you only have to go back just under 18 months, when Argentina won the 2021 Copa América - but those celebrations were heavily affected by covid-19 restrictions. After their final victory over hosts Brazil, Lionel Scaloni’s men flew back to Buenos Aires’ Ezeiza airport, before making the short journey in enclosed buses to the Argentinian FA headquarters.
A number of fans took to the roads to greet the players as their bus travelled to FA HQ, but it could not be described as a victory parade.
After Mexico ‘86, trophy paraded in packed Plaza de Mayo
We can get a better idea of what might happen if we look at the celebrations that took place in the Argentinian capital after the Albiceleste’s second World Cup win, 36 years ago. After beating West Germany in the final in Mexico, the squad flew to Ezeiza, before travelling by bus to the presidential palace, Casa Rosada, in Buenos Aires’ famous Plaza de Mayo square.
From accounts of the celebrations, it is not immediately clear whether an open-top bus was used - but one can assume it would not certainly not be an enclosed vehicle were Argentina to have silverware to parade this weekend.
After their Diego Maradona-inspired win in ‘86, Argentina met the country’s then-president, Raúl Alfonsín, at the Casa Rosada, before making their way out onto the palace’s balcony in front of a packed Plaza de Mayo. There, Maradona and the rest of the team showed the trophy off to a crowd which, according to Argentinian newspaper reports, numbered more than a million people.
The current president, Alberto Fernández, has announced that he will be remaining in Argentina for the final, despite his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, being in Qatar for the match.
Obelisco also a popular spot
Another popular celebration point in Buenos Aires is the iconic Obelisco monument on Avenida 9 de Julio, around a 15-minute walk from the Plaza de Mayo. Fans can be expected to gather there if Argentina win the World Cup, and Sporting News’ Agustín Aboy has pointed to the Obelisco as another likely destination for the team after its return to Buenos Aires.
Public holiday if Argentina win?
It’s also not known whether a public holiday will be declared if Lionel Messi and Co. are crowned world champions at Lusail on Sunday. A holiday was not called in either 1986 or after Argentina’s first World Cup triumph, in 1978.
Per ESPN’s Marcelo Benedetto, Argentina plan to fly back to their home country as quickly as possible after the final.