History of football in Argentina (1867–1899)
| Native name | Historia del fútbol en Argentina (1867–1899) |
|---|---|
| Date | 1867–1899 |
| Venue | Various |
| Location | Argentina |
| Theme | Football in Argentina |
| Cause | Introduction and development of the sport |
| Organised by | Argentine Football Association, others |
Association football was introduced to Argentina in the latter half of the 19th century by the British immigrants in Buenos Aires (then spreading to other cities), who established the first clubs in the country.
The practise of football around the country was highly encouraged by pioneers Thomas Hogg in the beginning (he participated in the first football match, apart of being founding member of the Buenos Aires Football Club, the first in South America), and then by Alexander Watson Hutton, who taught the sport in several educational institutions including Buenos Aires English High School, founded by him in 1884. The institution saw the birth of Alumni Athletic Club, which would become the most successful team of those times, being considered the first great team in the country. Despite having been dissolved in 1913, their 22 titles place Alumni as one of the most winning team in the history of Argentine football.
The Argentine league, Primera División, was first held in 1891, making it the sixth recognised competition of a FIFA member. and the first outside the British Isles. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) was formed in 1893 and still governs the practise of organised football in Argentina.