Why Many Latin Americans Want Spain to Beat Argentina in the World Cup Final
A growing number of Latin Americans are supporting Spain over Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final, driven by a combination of racism by some Argentine fans, historical football rivalries, and Argentina's recent dominance. Brazilian journalist Julia Duailibi publicly stated she cannot support Argentina due to racist scenes involving fans. Sociologist Nicolás Cabrera notes that traditional solidarity with Latin American teams has eroded, extending beyond traditional rivals like Brazil and Uruguay to include Mexicans, Colombians, and Ecuadorians. Factors include Argentina's success in reaching three of the last four World Cup finals, the increasing frequency of club matches in the Copa Libertadores, and the amplification of hate speech and xenophobia on social media. The article highlights a shift in regional sentiment away from continental unity.
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