An Argentine restaurant has sparked fury among football fans worldwide by giving customers voodoo dolls dressed in England kits to stab while they dine. Bullanga Milanga, located in Cordoba, Argentina, previously offered similar effigies of France and Spain, but the England version has drawn particular ire ahead of the World Cup semi-final on Wednesday, 15 July 2026.
Stunt Designed to Jinx England
In a social media post, the restaurant described the doll as “designed to jinx” England, adding: “Let's puncture [them] so they don't puncture our dreams.” The doll is included with the restaurant's McCumba meal, named after a Spanish term for Afro-South American religions. A video shows diners stabbing the doll with cocktail sticks, alongside similar models of Brazil, Spain, and France.
Mixed Reactions Online
The stunt has divided opinion. One Instagram user called it “among the best I've seen in marketing,” praising the restaurant for understanding the rivalry “perfectly.” Another expressed pride, saying: “I love my country and our culture, it makes me very happy to be Argentinian.” However, critics argued Argentina’s team is strong enough without “needing any tricks.” One user wrote: “Argentina doesn't need this garbage to win, bad propaganda, they've totally screwed up.”
Previous Stunts and World Cup Context
This is not the restaurant’s first provocative marketing move. Ahead of Argentina’s Round of 16 match against Egypt, they offered a free meal to customers who traded in Egypt player stickers, writing: “You trade in a mummy and get a meal.” The World Cup 2026 has reached the semi-finals: France faces Spain on Tuesday, 14 July, at 8pm UK time, while England takes on Argentina on Wednesday, 15 July, also at 8pm UK time.
