Argentina Also Dominates the Business of Football
Argentina is not only dominating on the pitch, but also off it. A recent report ranked the AFA as the strongest national football brand in the world, reinforcing the global impact of the reigning world champions.
The AFA has been ranked as “the strongest national football brand in the world,” according to an analysis by international brand valuation consultancy Brand Finance.
Host Sergio Goycochea (former goalkeeper and runner-up at Italy 1990) appeared on a video call with Dibu Martínez (goalkeeper and Qatar 2022 World Cup champion).
The findings were presented during a joint event between the Argentine Football Association and Brand Finance in New York City, where the global reach and commercial power of the “albiceleste” national team were highlighted.
ARGENTINE PRIDE
The latest Brand Finance report confirms what many in Argentina have felt for years: the AFA is currently the strongest football brand on the planet. With a brand strength index of 90.7 out of 100, the governing body of Argentine football ranks ahead of historic powerhouses such as Brazil, Germany, France, and England.
This leadership goes far beyond results on the field. It reflects an identity, a passion, and a history that have once again placed Argentine football at the very top of the international stage.
Today, the AFA competes in the same arena as some of the most powerful brands in the world, sharing global influence with giants such as Nike, Coca-Cola, Dior, McDonald’s, and YouTube.
What began as a sporting federation has transformed into a global brand that represents an entire country, with cultural influence, international reach, and commercial momentum that places it among the most powerful names in the world.
The AFA no longer represents only Argentine football: it represents the pride of being world champions. 🇦🇷⚽
Statements
Laurence Newell, Managing Director of Brand Finance Americas, explained:
“What stands out about the AFA is not simply that it leads the football world thanks to its brand strength, but also its solid position among the most influential brands globally. Very few organizations, inside or outside sports, achieve this level of emotional resonance and international recognition. The AFA has built a brand with the scale, clarity, and cultural impact that many global companies spend decades trying to achieve.”
Meanwhile, Leandro Petersen, Commercial and Marketing Director of the AFA, stated:
“Being here today, presenting the AFA in a market like the United States, demonstrates the tremendous progress the organization has made. The national team has become one of the most powerful ambassadors of Argentina, strengthening the country’s image wherever we go.”
The meeting in New York also served to project the future, with discussions focused on how the AFA can consolidate its position and continue strengthening its global presence. Speakers agreed that becoming a global brand is only the beginning: maintaining that status requires constant focus, sustained investment, and a clear long-term strategy both on and off the field.
Petersen concluded:
“We don’t see ourselves as just a football team; we manage a global sports and entertainment brand. The investments we make in youth development, new training centers, and international academies are long-term commitments that will endure long after we are gone. That is the legacy we want to leave for Argentine football.”
Ahead of the next World Cup, which will be played in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the AFA also announced a historic commercial partnership with Google, which becomes the global main sponsor of the Argentina National Team.
The partnership will feature Gemini, the company’s artificial intelligence platform, whose logo will now appear on the training gear of the reigning world champions.
