LOS ANGELES — During a gathering of influential Latino politicians in the United States, attendees were encouraged to wear their favorite soccer jerseys. However, few opted for Argentina’s Abiceleste.
Coachella, California’s Mayor Frank Figueroa expressed strong feelings about Argentina as a “Latin American country” (using finger quotes). He noted his willingness to support England, the team that eliminated Mexico, Figueroa’s ancestral homeland, in a controversial quarterfinal game.
“When I look at their soccer team, it’s about who is playing compared to other Latin American teams that have local players,” Figueroa stated. “To me, that’s significant. They all appear European.”
As the World Cup semi-finals coincided with a major assembly of Latino policymakers, the National Association of Latino Elected Officials annual conference took advantage of the timing. They organized Telemundo World Cup viewing parties in a hotel ballroom and offered NALEO soccer jerseys to mark the organization’s 50th anniversary. At the venue, multicolored soccer jerseys, especially the green of Mexico’s El Tri, stood out among the formal suits and business attire.
The lack of support for the tournament’s sole remaining Latin American team was noticeable. In fact, England’s colors were more prevalent than Argentina’s before their upcoming match in Atlanta.
Karina Moreno, a councilmember from Palm Desert, California, cited Argentina’s history of blanqueamiento policies, which encouraged European migration, offered sanctuary to Nazis post-World War II, and its “genocide” against Afro-Argentines, as contributing to systemic issues in Argentina’s past. Moreno remarked that this history perpetuates the “fallacy” of Argentina’s superiority over other Latin American nations.
Tensions towards Argentina intensified after comments from Argentine media personality Eduardo Feinmann, who expressed he “detested Mexicans” following Mexico’s exit from the tournament. Feinmann suggested Mexicans were envious of Argentines in various aspects, not just soccer. This controversy led to a public rebuke from Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum.
“It’s not the first time, and it validates what we’re discussing,” Moreno commented on the incident.
Argentina’s fans have also faced criticism, with FIFA launching an investigation into alleged racist abuse by a supporter against American streamer IShowSpeed during Argentina’s victory over Cape Verde earlier this month. Egyptian coach Hossam Hassan used FIFA’s designated crossed-arm “X” gesture to report the racist abuse against Argentina.
Salt Lake City councilmember Alejandro Puy donned one of the rare Argentina jerseys. Having grown up in Buenos Aires, he acknowledged that “rivalries are expected” in soccer.
“Ultimately, we are all brothers and sisters of this continent and we stand by it,” Puy emphasized, although he still believes Argentina boasts the best team in Latin America.
While Puy appreciated the Latino camaraderie at the conference, he planned to visit Argentina’s Consulate in Los Angeles to watch the game and not feel “a little alone.”
