2026 World Cup: Why Most South American Football Fans Will Support Spain Against Argentina
Ahead of the 2026 World Cup final between Argentina and Spain, a wave of memes, criticism, and social media sentiment indicates that many South American and Latin American fans are rooting against Argentina. The article explores multiple reasons: accusations of refereeing favoritism toward Argentina, racism by Argentine fans and players (including a 2022 chant and a recent incident with streamer IShowSpeed), anti-FIFA sentiment fueled by political decisions like allowing a red-carded player to play after a Trump appeal, and a perception that Lionel Messi is FIFA's 'darling' compared to the revolutionary Diego Maradona. Sociologists and fans from Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and Chile express a preference for Spain to win. Even Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum's press conference saw journalists chant 'Spain!' Lionel Messi has responded to the criticism, noting Argentina's success.
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