New Delhi, July 19: After 39 days of footballing action, two teams are on the cusp of greatness. On the one hand, we have Lionel Messi’s Argentina, which is seeking back-to-back titles, thereby becoming the second team after Brazil to repeat the feat. Standing in their way is Spain, who are seeing a resurgence in the World Cup 16 years later since the time of Iniesta and Casillas.

While the contest for football’s greatest prize is on the line, the battle between the two teams extends well beyond the football pitch. The contest is also being cast by some fans as a proxy battle over the issue between Israel and Palestine. The political undertone began after some pro-Israel voices (including Israel prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu) expressed their close ties with the Argentinian President Javier Milei.

On the other hand, Spanish footballers like Lamine Yamal, Unai Simon, and Borja Iglesias have regularly supported the cause of the Palestinian people.

Argentina’s Support For Israel

Argentina’s bosomeness to Israel has come to the forefront on several occasions, with the President Milei openly declaring that he has close ties with Tel Aviv. Milei, a right-wing libertarian, has said that he is interested in converting to Judaism and has openly professed his deep gratitude for the religion.

Meanwhile, Israel has also responded to their South American ally’s claims. Speaking on a podcast earlier this month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has openly said, “I look for Argentina in the World Cup.” He further said, “Milei is a great friend of Israel”.

Interestingly, Argentina is home to the largest Jewish population in Latin America, with 170,000 Jews approximately living in the country. However, criticism of Argentina’s national team hasn’t just stemmed from the country’s relationship with Israel. The team and its supporters have faced scrutiny over chants of racism as well. We all remember the infamous incident involving Enzo Fernández and his racist chants hurled at French players of African origin after Argentina’s Copa America victory. Although the Chelsea midfielder later apologised, the incident drew worldwide criticism.

Spain’s Liberal Politics: A Reflection On Football

Meanwhile, Spain has become the epicentre for the pro-Palestinian movement, with supporters thronging around the national team. One of the most defining moments in Spain’s national politics has been the emergence of the left-wing under Pedro Sanchez’s government.

That sentiment appears to have translated into support for the Spanish national team. After Spain defeated France in the semifinal on Tuesday, Iran’s embassy in Kenya posted on X, congratulating the team and saying Spain will “never be forgotten for standing on the right side of history.”

Young Spanish star Lamine Yamal waved a Palestinian flag during Barcelona’s La Liga title celebrations in 2026, which triggered criticism from Israeli officials – including Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz – and praise from Palestinian supporters.

The Palestinian mission to the United Nations posted the photo in support of the Spanish squad on Tuesday. Earlier, La Liga giants Real Madrid also criticised the US & Israeli strikes on Iran, which has been a key ally of Palestine.

To conclude, this year’s FIFA World Cup final is not only a clash between two footballing heavyweights but also a reflection of how sport increasingly intersects with global politics. While Argentina and Spain will ultimately be judged by their performances on the pitch, the narratives surrounding the two sides have been shaped by their countries’ political positions and the public stances of some players.