Actor Samuel L. Jackson urged Black people not to support Argentina during the 2026 World Cup, describing the nation as one of the most racist in the world. Jackson shared an AI-generated image on his Instagram Story featuring his character Stephen from Django Unchained wearing an Argentina jersey to illustrate his point, as he was firmly backing Spain to win the World Cup.
The controversy unfolded as Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in extra time at the New York New Jersey Stadium to claim the trophy. The match, attended by high-profile figures including David Beckham and his family, concluded with Spain manager Luis de la Fuente’s squad lifting the trophy, which was presented by Donald Trump.
Jackson’s social media activity began before the kickoff, when he reshared a post from the SEC Black Alumni Network. The post explicitly stated, “Dear Black People… Please do not cheer or root for Argentina to win the FIFA World Cup,” adding that Argentina has “historically been one of, if not the most racist countries in the world.”
The post further cautioned, “If you are a Black person cheering for Argentina, this is what you look like to me,” referencing the image of the character Stephen. The message concluded with the phrase, “We hear you loud and clear.”
Argentine Response and Historical Debate
The actor’s comments triggered an immediate backlash from Argentine supporters. Some fans labeled the actor’s stance “outrageous” and claimed Jackson was influenced by “anti-Argentina propaganda,” suggesting he “evidently not knowing much about history.”
Jackson, 77, has a documented history of using his platform to address systemic racism. In a 2023 interview with Rolling Stone, he discussed his experiences growing up during segregation, stating he knew which white people “didn’t want to be bothered with me” and how they felt about him. He further linked his views on the Republican Party and Donald Trump to the “rednecks” who used racial slurs to keep him in his place during his youth.
The actor’s films have grossed more than $27billion worldwide, providing him a global reach that amplified the debate over Argentina’s social climate during the tournament.
Regional Tensions and FIFA Investigations
Argentina’s path to the final was marked by friction with other Latin American nations. While they remained the last Latin American team in the competition, many fans in the region rooted against the squad led by Lionel Messi. Reports indicate that audiences in Mexico, in particular, showed resistance rooted in a long-standing rivalry and cultural resentments; Argentina has not lost a match to Mexico since 2004.
Brazilian journalist Julia Duailibi, writing for O Globo, expressed a similar conflict after Argentina defeated England in the semi-final. Duailibi stated that while she admires the “hermanos,” the “racist scenes involving a minority of the fans and the silence of the majority on the pitch turned my stomach.”
These sentiments were echoed by official actions from the sport’s governing body. FIFA launched an investigation into alleged racist abuse involving American social media influencer IShowSpeed, born Darren Jason Watkins Jr., and an Argentine supporter during a match against Cape Verde on July 3. FIFA president Gianni Infantino and Zlatan Ibrahimović featured in some of Watkins’ live streams during the tournament.
Footage of the incident showed Watkins, who has over 100million followers across his platforms, wearing a Cape Verde kit while being confronted by a fan in the stands. FIFA issued a statement asserting that the World Cup is a “celebration of unity, diversity, and respect” and that anyone undermining these values is “not welcome in our game.”
Representatives for Samuel L. Jackson have been contacted for further comment regarding the social media posts.
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