The Argentina women's national field hockey team () is governed by the Argentine Hockey Confederation (CAH). The current coach is Fernando Ferrara, who was appointed after Carlos Retegui was let go in late 2021. The team is currently second in the FIH Women's World Ranking. ''Las Leonas'' (The Lionesses) have appeared in six Hockey World Cup finals, including the first final in 1974, which they lost 1–0 to the

Netherlands , Terminology of the Low Countries, informally Holland, is a country in Northwestern Europe, with Caribbean Netherlands, overseas territories in the Caribbean. It is the largest of the four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Nether ...

. Argentina had to settle with second place in two more finals before winning the tournament for the first time in 2002, beating the Netherlands 4–3 in the final on penalty strokes after a 1–1 draw. Argentina, led by eight-time FIH Player of the Year Luciana Aymar won again in

2010 The year saw a multitude of natural and environmental disasters such as the 2010 Haiti earthquake, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, and the 2010 Chile earthquake. The 2009 swine flu pandemic, swine flu pandemic which began the previous year ...

, a 3–1 victory over the Netherlands. Argentina's World Cup-winning coaches are Sergio Vigil in 2002 and Carlos Retegui in 2010. Argentina has been very successful at the Summer Olympics, winning four consecutive medals (two silver, two bronze) since the 2000 edition, when they became the first women's team in any sport to win an Olympic medal for their country. Luciana Aymar is the only player that has participated and won those four medals. Also, after their first title in 2001 at a Hockey Champions Trophy, they have won the tournament six more times. In front of a home crowd, they won the 2014–15 Hockey World League as the first international title after Aymar's retirement from the national team the previous year. At a continental level, Argentina has dominated and won every tournament they played, including the Pan American Cup and the Pan American Games leaving the

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with second place on most events until they lost the

2011 Pan American Games The 2011 Pan American Games, officially the XVI Pan American Games () and commonly known as Guadalajara 2011, were an international multi-sport event held from October 14–30, 2011, in Guadalajara, Mexico. Some events were held in the nearby c ...

final for the first time. In July 2003, after the implementation of an official World Ranking System, Argentina reached the top of the FIH Women's World Ranking for the first time, reaching it again in 2010 after obtaining the World Cup title and once more in late 2013.

History

Hockey was introduced in Argentina by English immigrants at the beginning of the 20th century, and the first women's teams were officially formed in 1909. In 1997, Sergio Vigil, a former player for the men's national team, was appointed coach. Under his leadership, ''Las Leonas'' achieved their first World Hockey Cup title, their first Olympic medals, their first Champions Trophy medals, and many other achievements. The team went from having a rather limited audience to becoming a national sensation, with some of the players even appearing as models in advertising campaigns.

Nickname

Throughout its history, the team has developed a reputation for being tenacious even when a match appears to be lost. For this reason, a

lion The lion (''Panthera leo'') is a large Felidae, cat of the genus ''Panthera'', native to Sub-Saharan Africa and India. It has a muscular, broad-chested body (biology), body; a short, rounded head; round ears; and a dark, hairy tuft at the ...

ess was chosen as their symbol when the team qualified for the

2000 Summer Olympics The 2000 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the XXVII Olympiad, officially branded as Sydney 2000, and also known as the Games of the New Millennium, were an international multi-sport event held from 15 September to 1 October ...

. During the second round of games, Argentina played against the powerful Dutch team, and they chose this occasion to place the image of a lioness on their shirts for the first time. The image was designed by then-player Inés Arrondo together with Vigil's sister-in-law. Argentina won that match, went on to win the silver medal, and ''Las Leonas'' were born. Subsequently, the junior (under 21) team is called '' Las Leoncitas'' ("the baby lionesses" or "the lioness cubs"). The lioness logo was redesigned in 2006 by the team kit supplier, Adidas, along with Confederación Argentina de Hockey and even some of the most representative players. This is slightly different from the original, showing the lioness' tail pretending to be a hockey stick while holding a ball. The nickname also falls in line with an unwritten Argentine tradition of naming national teams after big cats: the men's

field hockey Field hockey (or simply referred to as hockey in some countries where ice hockey is not popular) is a team sport structured in standard hockey format, in which each team plays with 11 players in total, made up of 10 field players and a goalk ...

team is called '' Los Leones'' ("The Lions"), the men's

rugby union Rugby union football, commonly known simply as rugby union in English-speaking countries and rugby 15/XV in non-English-speaking world, Anglophone Europe, or often just rugby, is a Contact sport#Terminology, close-contact team sport that orig ...

team is called '' Los Pumas'' ("The Pumas"), and the women's

volleyball Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules. It has been a part of the official program of the Summ ...

team is known as '' Las Panteras'' ("The Panthers").

Tournament records

Players

Current squad

The following players were called to play at the Pro League window between June 7th and 22nd against

Spain Spain, or the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe with territories in North Africa. Featuring the Punta de Tarifa, southernmost point of continental Europe, it is the largest country in Southern Eur ...

England England is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is located on the island of Great Britain, of which it covers about 62%, and List of islands of England, more than 100 smaller adjacent islands. It ...

India India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...

and

China China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. With population of China, a population exceeding 1.4 billion, it is the list of countries by population (United Nations), second-most populous country after ...

in various european locations. ''Players, caps and goals updated as of 8 June 2025.'' Head coach: Fernando Ferrara

Recent call-ups

These players were called up in the last 12 months.

Past players

* Gabriela Aguirre (2006–2016) * Magdalena Aicega (1993–2008)A Magui Aicega le llegó la hora del adiós tras 15 años de éxitos
on ''La Prensa'', 22 Aug 2008 * Laura Aladro (2005–2016) * Agustina Albertario (2010-2025) * Mariela Antoniska (1998–2006) * Inés Arrondo (1999–2009) * Luciana Aymar (1998–2014) * Noel Barrionuevo (2006–2021) * Moira Brinnand (1988) * Claudia Burkart (2001–2015) * Victoria Carbó (1983–1991) * Julieta Castellán (1994–1996) * María Castelli (1991–1996) * Martina Cavallero (2012–2018) * Jimena Cedrés (2013–2023) * Laura del Colle (2012) * María Colombo (1983–1988) * Silvia Corvalán (1995–1999) * Silvina D'Elía (2003–2021) * Marina di Giacomo (2003–2004) * Natalí Doreski (2001–2005) * Carla Dupuy (2009–2016) * Magdalena Fernández Ladra (2017–2023) * Milagros Fernández Ladra (2017–2023) * María Paz Ferrari (1994–2004) * Andrea Fioroni (1988) * Julieta Franco (2012) * Anabel Gambero (1991–2002) * Soledad García (1999–2011) * Julia Gomes Fantasia (2013–2018) * Mariana González Oliva (1996–2008) * Alejandra Gulla (1998–2010) * Agustina Habif (2014–2019) * Florencia Habif (2011–2019) * María de la Paz Hernández (1999–2008) * Marcela Hussey (1988) * Priscila Jardel (2017–2020) * Giselle Juárez (2013–2017) * Giselle Kañevsky (2006–2020) * Gabriela Liz (1983–1998) * Marisa López (1983–1995) * Rosario Luchetti (2005–2020) * Sofía Maccari (2011–2021) * Sofía MacKenzie (1991–1996) * Laura Maiztegui (2000–2002) * Mercedes Margalot (1998–2012) * Karina Masotta (1991–2002) * Delfina Merino (2009–2022) * Laura Mulhall (1983–1998) * Florencia Mutio (2012–2019) * Vanina Oneto (1991–2004) * Alejandra Palma (1988) * Gabriela Pando (1994–1998) * María Gabriela Pazos (1988–1991) * Carla Rebecchi (2004–2021) * Marcela Richezza (1988–1991) * Jorgelina Rimoldi (1994–2001) * Micaela Retegui (2019–2022) * Macarena Rodríguez (2005–2025) * Cecilia Rognoni (1996–2010) * Pilar Romang (2013–2016) * Mariana Rossi (2008–2013) * Mariné Russo (2001–2010) * Gabriela Sánchez (1988–1996) * Rocío Sánchez Moccia (2009-2024) * Mariela Scarone (2009–2025) * Daniela Sruoga (2009–2014) * Josefina Sruoga (2009–2015) * Ayelén Stepnik (1996–2008) * Belén Succi (2006–2022) * María Alejandra Tucat (1983–1988) * Lucina von der Heyde (2015–2023) * Paola Vukojicic (1999–2008) * Victoria Zuloaga (2009–2019)

Not in use jersey numbers

When Luciana Aymar (eight-time FIH Player of the Year Award winner and regarded as the best player in the history of the sport), retired from the national team in 2014 after 376 international matches played, some of Aymar's teammates (such as Carla Rebecchi) asked the Confederation for the retirement of her iconic number 8 worn by her during 17 years with the national team. Nevertheless, the number is not officially retired by the CAH, although it has not been assigned to other players since.

Captains

Coaches

Honours

Since its breakthrough in the

(where the team nicknamed ''"Las Leonas" for the first time), Argentina has won more than 20 official titles, which are detailed below: * Summer Olympics: ** Silver medal (3): Sydney 2000, London 2012, Tokyo 2020 ** Bronze medal (3): Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, Paris 2024 * World Cup (2): 2002,

* FIH Pro League (1): 2021–22 * FIH Hockey World League (1): 2014–15 * Champions Trophy (7): 2001, 2008,

2009 2009 was designated as the International Year of Astronomy by the United Nations to coincide with the 400th anniversary of Galileo Galilei's first known astronomical studies with a telescope and the publication of Astronomia Nova by Joha ...

2012 2012 was designated as: *International Year of Cooperatives *International Year of Sustainable Energy for All Events January *January 4 – The Cicada 3301 internet hunt begins. * January 12 – Peaceful protests begin in the R ...

2014 The year 2014 was marked by the surge of the Western African Ebola epidemic, West African Ebola epidemic, which began in 2013, becoming the List of Ebola outbreaks, most widespread outbreak of the Ebola, Ebola virus in human history, resul ...

, 2016 * Pan American Cup (6): 2001,

2004 2004 was designated as an International Year of Rice by the United Nations, and the International Year to Commemorate the Struggle Against Slavery and Its Abolition (by UNESCO). Events January * January 3 – Flash Airlines Flight 60 ...

2013 2013 was the first year since 1987 to contain four unique digits (a span of 26 years). 2013 was designated as: *International Year of Water Cooperation *International Year of Quinoa Events January * January 5 – 2013 Craig, Alask ...

, 2017, 2022 * Pan American Games (8):

1987 Events January * January 1 – Bolivia reintroduces the Boliviano currency. * January 2 – Chadian–Libyan conflict – Battle of Fada: The Military of Chad, Chadian army destroys a Libyan armoured brigade. * January 3 – Afghan leader ...

, 1991, 1995,

1999 1999 was designated as the International Year of Older Persons. Events January * January 1 – The euro currency is established and the European Central Bank assumes its full powers. * January 3 – The Mars Polar Lander is launc ...

, 2003, 2007, 2019, 2023 * South American Championship (4): 2003, 2008,

* South American Games (3): 2006,

, 2018

Gallery

File:2_AG-ARGENTINA_AUSTRALIA.jpg, Mariné Russo in a match against

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...

in 2005 File:HOCKEY.jpg, Mercedes Margalot in a match against Nederlands in 2005 File:Argentina_v_Netherlands_WCT_2010_Final_535.jpg, Celebrating their win after the 2010 Champions Trophy final. File:Las Leonas (2010).jpg, The 2010 World Champion squad File:Argentina 2016 CT Champions (27852970981).jpg, Champions Trophy winners in 2016

Notes

*The team alternates between light blue and black skirt/socks when using their main kit, even during the same tournament, apparently arbitrarily. For example, during the 2010 World Cup, see photos fro
Day 1
(black)

(light blue) an

(black).

References

External links

*
FIH profile
{{Navboxes , title = Titles , bg = gold , list1 = {{FIH Women's Hockey World Cup winners {{Women's Pan American Cup winners {{Women's FIH Champions Trophy winners Americas women's national field hockey teams