1978 World Cup: Argentina's 48-year wait ends

Argentina ended a four-century wait with another heartbreaking loss to the Netherlands. The first season finalists got an indescribable taste of the title in 1978, at home.

In 1962, on 8 August in Tokyo, the names of the hosts of the eleventh season along with the ninth season were announced at the FIFA Congress.

There is no dearth of controversies about this event held from June 1 to 25. Argentina's dictator at the time, Jorge Rafael Videla, allegedly gave special favors to the hosts. There is also the controversy of match fixing.

Dutch captain Yohan Cruyff did not play in the main stage even though he played in the qualifiers. The first opponent in the World Cup, Hungary's coach commented that the wind of the World Cup is in favor of Argentina!


Diego Maradona could have made his debut in the World Cup with this event. But at the age of 17, he was doubted whether he could handle the pressure of the world stage or not, Cesar Luis Menetti took him to the team. This angered the football fans of the country.

Host Argentina and last season's champion West Germany play directly in the 16-team tournament. The remaining 14 teams came through the selection stage of more than a hundred countries. Of these, Europe had nine - Austria, France, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Scotland, Sweden, Spain. Two from Latin America – Brazil and Peru. Mexico from the CONMEBOL region, Iran from Asia and Tunisia from Africa make it to the main stage.

Iran and Tunisia made their debut in the World Cup with this event.