Argentina’s New York fans share hopes before 2026 World Cup final

What the report says

Al Jazeera reported from New York City that Argentina supporters in Queens and Brooklyn were preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup final against Spain, scheduled for Sunday in East Rutherford, New Jersey. In Elmhurst, Queens, an area long known as “Little Argentina,” residents and business owners have decorated streets, benches, storefronts and other public fixtures in Argentina’s sky blue and white as fans gather near one of the city’s historic hubs for the diaspora.

The report centers on Christian Gimenez, owner of Rio de la Plata Bakery, who described efforts to preserve the neighborhood’s Argentinian identity even as the community has become more dispersed and fewer Argentinian businesses remain. Al Jazeera also highlighted a mural of Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona on Gimenez’s bakery as a symbol of football’s role in connecting generations of Argentinians in New York. Other fans recalled past celebrations, including Argentina’s 1978 World Cup win, and described match days on the Queens block as a street-level alternative to a stadium.

The article also noted that support for Argentina has expanded beyond the Argentinian diaspora. In Kensington, Brooklyn, known for its growing Bangladeshi community, residents told Al Jazeera that many local fans strongly back Argentina, with public viewing areas and shop-based watch parties forming during matches. The report cited New York City data indicating the Bangladeshi diaspora has tripled over two decades, while residents linked some older support to Maradona’s 1986 team and younger enthusiasm to Messi.

The story matters because the final is being played just outside New York City, giving local immigrant communities a rare nearby stage for a global football event. Al Jazeera also included comments rejecting racist incidents associated with some Argentina fans, with Queens supporters saying those acts did not represent their community.