American actor Samuel L. Jackson sparked controversy after criticizing Argentina ahead of the 2026 World Cup final by sharing a social media post that described the country as “one of the most racist in the world.”
In the post, Jackson used an image of his character Stephen from the film Django Unchained, wearing an Argentina jersey. The character, known for collaborating with a slave-owning system in the film, was used in the message as a comparison with Black people who supported the Argentine team.
“Dear Black people… Please do not support Argentina to win the FIFA World Cup. Historically, Argentina has been one of the most racist countries in the world, if not the [most racist country in the world]. ‘If you are a Black person supporting Argentina, this is what you look like to me.’ We hear you loud and clear,” he said.
The remarks prompted reactions from Argentines on social media, with many defending the country and arguing that the accusation generalizes its population. Some also claimed that issues such as cultural arrogance and sporting rivalries have ended up being interpreted internationally as expressions of prejudice.
The actor’s statement comes amid a series of debates over incidents of racism involving Argentine fans during the tournament. Cases cited include allegations of racist insults directed at streamer IShowSpeed during a match and criticism of the behavior of some Argentine supporters at World Cup games.
The debate also reignited discussions about Argentina’s racial history, including past immigration policies, the historical erasure of the country’s Black population and episodes of discrimination. At the same time, critics of Jackson’s remarks argued that portraying Argentine society as a whole as racist would be an oversimplification of a complex historical issue.
Photos: Creative Commons / Instagram. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
