Antognoni's senior international career with Italy started on 20 November 1974, in a 3–1 away loss to the Netherlands at the age of twenty, in a Euro 1976 qualifying match. Antognoni took part in the 1978 World Cup with Italy under manager Enzo Bearzot, where the team finished in fourth place after a semi-final defeat to the Netherlands. He also reached another fourth-place finish at the 1980 European Championship on home soil, wearing the number 10 jersey. His greatest achievement with the national team came when he won the 1982 FIFA World Cup, however, after recovering from a skull–injury sustained the year prior in time for the tournament. Antognoni made six appearances throughout the competition, and played a crucial role in the team's title run with his ability to circulate possession and create chances with his passing as the team's main playmaker; he provided the second–highest number of assists throughout the tournament (3), behind only Brazil's Zico and West Germany's Pierre Littbarski. He also had a goal in Italy's 3–2 second–round victory over Brazil incorrectly ruled out for offside; however, the result allowed Italy to advance to the semi-finals. He started in the latter match against Poland, which Italy won 2–0, but he was not able to participate in the final 3–1 victory over West Germany due to an injury he sustained in the semi-final.