World Cup 2026: Israel loves Argentina but do Argentinians actually love them back?

World Cup 2026: Israel loves Argentina but do Argentinians actually love them back?

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Mon, 07/20/2026 - 12:32

Argentina's President Javier Milei has tied his country closely to Israel, but polling shows most Argentinians reject the relationship

Argentina's President Javier Milei (centre) visits the Western Wall in the old city of Jerusalem, 19 April 2026 (Ilia Yefimovich/AFP)

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Hours before Argentina faced Spain in the World Cup final, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent a message to President Javier Milei.

"Javier [Milei], you are a real friend, a great friend. We support you, we support Argentina, in so many ways."

Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 soon afterwards, but the match had already taken on a political meaning far beyond its footballing context.

Across social media, many framed Argentina as Israel’s team and Spain as Palestine’s. The symbolism was not difficult to understand.

Milei has made support for Israel a defining feature of Argentina’s foreign policy. He has backed Netanyahu throughout the Gaza genocide, spoken publicly about converting to Judaism and pledged to move Argentina’s embassy to Jerusalem.

Spain has moved in the opposite direction. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has condemned Israel’s genocide in Gaza, called for those responsible to face arrest and recognised the State of Palestine in 2024.

Even the teams’ biggest stars became part of the contrast. Lionel Messi has drawn scrutiny over his previous links with Israel, while Spain’s Lamine Yamal displayed a Palestinian flag after Barcelona won the league title.

‘Every patriotic Israeli supports Argentina’

The globally unpopular Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is subject to an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during Israel’s assault on Gaza, was not the only Israeli politician to support Argentina.

Israeli ministers throughout his cabinet have also eagerly sought to push that comparison.

Argentina’s ambassador to Israel, Rabbi Shimon Axel Wahnish, visited far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich before the final and presented him with an Argentina shirt and an official World Cup ball.

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The ICC prosecutor has also reportedly requested an arrest warrant for Smotrich over war crimes and crimes against humanity committed against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

"Every patriotic Israeli supports Argentina. Go Argentina!" Smotrich said.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir joined in: "We will love those who love Israel. Let's go, Argentina.”

Transport Minister Miri Regev wrote: "Congratulations to the Argentine people and my friend President Milei. Fingers crossed for you in the final!"

Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and Israel’s UN ambassador, Danny Danon, had also publicly celebrated Argentina’s victories.

But does Argentina love Israel?

Israel’s embrace of Argentina arguably says more about Milei than it does about Argentina.

After the semi-final victory over England, one supporter rejected the idea that the national team represented Israel’s political camp.

“No Argentinian that is a real Argentinian supports Israel,” she said in a widely circulated video. “Don’t believe our fucking president that has been put with money there.”

A Pew Research Centre survey conducted between 8 February and 13 May 2026 found that 55 percent of Argentinians held a very or somewhat unfavourable view of Israel. Only 21 percent viewed it favourably.

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Netanyahu himself made clear that Israel’s support rested on Milei rather than the country as a whole.

"They have a president who's a superstar... Milei is a huge friend of Israel," he said on Ben Ben Baruch's podcast.

Speaking to Argentina’s ambassador, Netanyahu added: "I don't hide the fact that I'm an Argentina fan. Most Israelis are Argentina fans, because President Milei has revolutionised Argentina's relations with us. We have no greater or better friend."

That transformation has been dramatic.

Argentina recognised Palestinian statehood in 2010 under former President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.

Meanwhile, Milei, a self-described “anarcho-capitalist” who took office in December 2023, has since pulled the country into Netanyahu’s orbit and made support for Israel central to his international identity.

The contrast also revives memories of Diego Maradona.

Unlike Messi, the late Argentine football icon spoke openly about Palestine and met Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas during the 2018 World Cup.

“In my heart, I am Palestinian,” Maradona said.

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