In the competition proper, Argentina have qualified for the World Cup on fifteen occasions, missing just four World Cup competitions. They withdrew from the competition in 1938, 1950 and 1954, and failed to qualify for the 1970 competition.

Their goal-scoring record in the remaining competitions are:

• 1930 - Scored 18, Conceded 9 (2nd place)
• 1934 - Scored 2, Conceded 3 (exited in the first round)
• 1958 - Scored 5, Conceded 10 (exited in the first round)
• 1966 - Scored 4, Conceded 2 (quarter finals)
• 1978 - Scored 15, Conceded 4 (champions)
• 1982 - Scored 8, Conceded 7 (exited in the second round)
• 1986 - Scored 14, Conceded 5 (champions)
• 1990 - Scored 5, Conceded 4 (2nd place)
• 1994 - Scored 8, Conceded 6 (round of 16)
• 1998 - Scored 10, Conceded 4 (quarter finals)
• 2002 - Scored 2, Conceded 2 (exited in the first round)
• 2006 - Scored 11, Conceded 3 (quarter finals)

Excluding the 2010 tournament, this is a total of 118 goals from 18 competitions. In comparison, they have conceded 71 goals.