Javier Milei spins World Cup defeat into anti‑Argentina campaign
Argentina lost the 2026 World Cup final to Spain. President Javier Milei used the defeat to claim an "anti‑Argentina" campaign, posting on Instagram that critics are jealous and that "the Argentines are flashy, we don’t go unnoticed, they have envy, and we are good at almost everything." He added, "Now the world will see what a country full of Argentines can achieve." Milei also cited an apocryphal Winston Churchill quote, offered a special team shirt and the presidential palace to the squad, and warned of foreign students and workers "that hate Argentina," proposing tariffs on health and education services for foreigners in Buenos Aires.
His remarks sparked a backlash: more than 80,000 people signed a Change.org petition demanding the final be replayed, a march was organised at Buenos Aires’ Obelisk, and social media flooded with calls for a new match. Deputy Lilia Lemoine denied any international "anti‑Argentina" campaign, saying it is a political narrative rather than a coordinated effort. Content creator Ari Balanga, an Angolan‑born Argentine resident, said he never felt discrimination.
The controversy has intensified political tension in Argentina, with Milei’s supporters using the episode to bolster his dwindling image while opponents warn it could damage the country’s international reputation.