1978 FIFA World Cup in Argentina marked the eleventh edition of the tournament, taking place

from 1 to 25 June. It marked South America's return as host for the first time since Chile 1962.
The tournament was dispersed across six stadiums located in Buenos Aires, Rosario, Mar del
Plata, Córdoba, and Mendoza, with the Gauchito serving as the official mascot. A revolutionary
change took place in the ball design with the introduction of the Adidas Tango. This ball is a
classic design that has endured through five World Cups. It offers greater waterproofing than
previous models. Neither the seventeen-year-old Diego Armando Maradona nor the Dutch star,
Johan Cruyff, participated in the tournament. But other renowned international footballers of the
time made significant contributions, including Johan Neeskens, Teófilo Cubillas, Zico, Dino
Zoff, and Mario Kempis. Additionally, Michel Platini, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, and Paolo
Rossi were noteworthy contributors. Paul Breitner, the former world champion, opted out of the
clear repudiation of the military junta whereas all other players participated.

The home team, featuring Mario Kempis as their star player who was recognised as the best
player in the competition, won the championship. The event followed a knockout system,
similar to Germany 1974, comprising a first round with four qualifying groups where the top
two from each advanced to the second round, leading to the final showdown. In the final of the
World Cup, the Netherlands and Argentina, winners of Groups A and B respectively, faced each
other. The match proved to be challenging, resulting in both teams drawing 1-1 at the end of the
regulation 90 minutes and requiring extra time. Ultimately, goals by Kempes (2) and Daniel
Bertoni (1) led the Albiceleste to a 3-1 victory and their first World Cup win since 1930, when
they had lost 4-2 to the host nation Uruguay. The tournament took place during Argentina's
dictatorship, which enforced state terror and faced boycotts from certain international human
rights organisations. The tournament's location, the dictatorship's connection with FIFA, the
contested sporting outcomes, and corruption were scrutinised and discussed.

Team '78 analysed these issues.

Since 1964, when FIFA selected Argentina, 78 World Cups have been organised by three
constitutional presidents, one president and four dictators. Arturo Illia, the first president in the
series (1964-1966), did not make any decisions regarding this matter. His successor, the dictator
Juan Carlos Onganía (1966-1970), interfered in the activities of the Argentine Football
Association (AFA). His first appointee, Juan Martín Oneto Gaona, signed the initial World Cup-
related resolution. In June 1971, Comptroller Oneto was dismissed by dictator Alejandro
Agustín Lanusse and was replaced by Raúl D'Onofrio (whose father was later president of Club
Atlético River Plate). D'Onofrio managed to persuade General Lanusse to enforce sanctions of
Law 19.468, resulting in the declaration of the Cup. fter the fall of the dictatorship in May 1973,
a new constitutional government was elected in free elections. President Héctor J. Cámpora
resigned and Juan Domingo Perón was elected President for the third time, assuming office in
October 1973. In order to support the 11th World Cup in 1978, Perón established a national
commission in collaboration with the U. S. Department of State, led by José López Rega, who
was responsible for Social Welfare. The commission was led by Pedro Eladio Vázquez, the
Minister of Tourism and Sports at the time. It was during this phase that the emblem for the
champion was determined.

On 24th March 1976, a little more than two years prior to the World Cup, a new dictatorship
rose to power and enforced a regime of state terrorism. Some of the leaders of the dictatorship,
including Jorge Rafael Videla and the Minister of Economy, José Alfredo Martínez de Hoz,
opposed the idea of hosting the World Cup, citing it as an "unwarranted expense". On the other
hand, Emilio Massera led the prevailing sector, believing that "it is politically advantageous to
host the World Cup". On 12 July 1976, dictator Videla approved Decree No. 21,349, which
abolished the Support Commission created by Perón and established the Ente Autárquico
Mundial 1978 (EAM '78) in its place.

EAM '78 was initially led by General Omar Actis, who was assassinated shortly after its
creation, and it is suspected that the crime was ordered by the Navy, as part of the internal
struggle within the military junta. Actis was officially replaced by General Antonio Merlo, but
the organisation was headed by Rear Admiral Carlos Lacoste. The formal structure of EAM '78
at the time of the competition was: President: Antonio Luis Merlo; Vice President: Carlos
Alberto Lacoste; and Management: Planning and Management Control, headed by Fernando
Victorio Victoria; Communication, Alberto Horacio Calloni; Infrastructure, Norman Azcoitía;
Economy and Finance Raúl Veiga; Press, publicity and public relations, Carlos Alberto Lacoste
and special issues, Walter César Ragalli. The World Cup '78 Operations Centre was headed by
Julio Dante Giacchio. The Cordoba branch was directed by Carlos B. Chasseing; Mar del Plata
by Carlos Menozzi; Francisco Navarro Hinojosa Mendoza and Augusto Félix Cristian Rosario.

1. "Fútbol e identidad nacional durante el Mundial '78 en Argentina" por Brenda Elsey y
Joshua Nadel
2. "La Copa Sangrienta: El Mundial del '78 y la guerra sucia de la dictadura militar
argentina" por Darío Montenegro