@almost.world: Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly said he supports Argentina to win the 2026 World Cup final and sent a personal message of support to Argentina’s far-right president Javier Milei. Argentina is facing Spain in the World Cup final on Sunday, July 19, and could possibly win the World Cup for the second time in a row, but it is facing a lot of backlash due to reports about FIFA reportedly favoring Argentina and both Argentine fans and players being racist. Milei, who has previously called himself "the most Zionist president in the world," has made his alliance with Israel a central part of his foreign policy since taking office in December 2023. He has called Israel a "strategic ally" that shares Argentina's values and has visited the country three times as president despite its genocide in Gaza, most recently in April 2026 to celebrate Israel’s “Independence Day.” The day marks the establishment of the state of Israel on May 14, 1948, and Israel's expulsion on May 15, 1948, of at least 750,000 Palestinians from their homes and lands and capturing 78% of historic Palestine, known as “Nakba” or catastrophe in Arabic, according to Al Jazeera. Netanyahu has repeatedly called Milei "a great friend of Israel" and praised his free-market economic policies, having already said in a podcast appearance that he was rooting for Argentina at the World Cup partly because of his friendship with Milei. On Saturday, July 18, Netanyahu met in Jerusalem with Argentina's ambassador to Israel, Rabbi Shimon Axel Wajnis, who delivered a recorded audio message from Milei, who called Netanyahu his friend and said he was glad to hear Netanyahu was rooting for Argentina because of him. “You are a great friend," Netanyahu said in response to Milei’s message. "We support you. We support Argentina in so many ways, including tomorrow. Good luck!" #worldcup #argentina #israel #netanyahu #gaza

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Sunday 19 July 2026 13:09:15 GMT