Latin America roots against Argentina ahead of World Cup final

As Argentina prepares to face Spain in Sunday's World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, fans across Latin America have broken from the tradition of continental solidarity and lined up behind the European side — turning the defending champions into the tournament's most polarizing team.

A Region's Resentment

Rather than rallying around the last remaining Latin American squad, supporters in Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru have flooded social media with messages backing Spain, according to reporting from the Los Angeles Times, NPR, and Reuters. The anti-Argentina sentiment draws from multiple grievances: perceptions of favorable refereeing calls throughout the tournament, accusations of racism by Argentine fans and players, and broader resentment tied to Argentine President Javier Milei's polarizing politics.latimes+2

"There's no way I want the Argentines to win," Roberto García, a clothing shop owner in Mexico City, told the Los Angeles Times. "How can one sympathize with a team that has such a supremacist, racist discourse?"latimes

At two Argentina matches this tournament, fans were recorded directing racist slurs at an African American streamer, reigniting debate about a racist chant previously sung by members of the national team that mocked Black players on rival squads. The controversy deepened when Argentine journalist Eduardo Feinmann declared on air after Mexico's elimination: "I detest Mexicans, I detest them with my soul," prompting Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to call his remarks "appalling".france24+1

Political Flashpoints

Argentina's semifinal victory over England added further fuel. Players displayed a banner reading "Las Malvinas Son Argentinas" — "The Falklands Are Argentine" — in apparent violation of FIFA regulations prohibiting political displays in stadiums. FIFA said its disciplinary committee is "assessing the match reports" and considering potential action.abc+3

Sheinbaum, who confirmed she will attend Sunday's final after an invitation from U.S. President Donald Trump, joked with reporters at a press conference about journalists backing Spain over Argentina. Milei, meanwhile, announced he would not attend the match, citing superstition.beinsports+2

More Than a Game

The New York Times reported that far from receiving support from other Latin American fan bases, Argentina "has become the team they are rooting against". The Boston Globe framed the phenomenon around identity, noting that for many Latino fans, "old rivalries and questions of identity still matter more" than Lionel Messi's greatness.globeopinion.substack+1

Argentine actress Karenina Ivankovic, who has lived in Mexico City for 13 years, told the Los Angeles Times she has been shocked by the "xenophobia" directed at her countrymen during the tournament, saying several Argentine friends were physically attacked at a FIFA-organized fan festival in the capital.latimes

"It's become very political and personal," she said. "But it's just a game."latimes