Latin America unites to cheer against Argentina in FIFA World Cup final

What the report says

Al Jazeera, carrying an AFP report published July 18, 2026, says Argentina is facing an unusual wave of opposition across Latin America ahead of Sunday’s FIFA World Cup final against Spain. The report describes fans in countries including Brazil, Mexico, Colombia and Chile using memes, jokes and public comments to back Lamine Yamal’s Spain over Lionel Messi’s Argentina, despite the region’s tradition of supporting Latin American teams in major tournaments.

The article points to several sources of resentment. Some fans and commentators argue Argentina have benefited from favourable refereeing calls, even though the report notes that disputed decisions have been supported by FIFA and experts. Colombian sociologist German Gomez told AFP that regional solidarity with Argentina has weakened, linking the shift to social media narratives portraying Messi as protected by FIFA and its president, Gianni Infantino. Mexican sports anthropologist Jorge Negroe described the tournament as highly political.

Al Jazeera also reports that politics and racism controversies have fed the backlash. Some fans cited dislike of Argentine President Javier Milei, while the article recalls accusations involving Argentine supporters and past chants targeting Black French players. FIFA condemned racism during this World Cup after an Argentine supporter made a racist remark to US influencer IShowSpeed during a livestream.

The report adds that the hostility is not universal. Argentina have drawn enthusiastic support at training sites in the United States, and at least some Latin American fans still see the team as a regional representative. Messi, quoted in the article, said Argentina had again earned its place among the final two and suggested critics would have to accept it.