Samuel L Jackson has sparked controversy by declaring Argentina 'racist' in a social media post ahead of the 2026 World Cup final, urging Black people not to support the team. The 77-year-old actor shared an AI-generated image from his film Django Unchained on Instagram, featuring his character Stephen wearing an Argentina shirt with text that read: 'Dear Black People… Please do not cheer or root for Argentina to win the FIFA World Cup. Argentina has historically been one of, if not the most racist countries in the world.'
World Cup Final Outcome
Argentina lost the final 1-0 in extra time to Spain at New York New Jersey Stadium, with the trophy presented by Donald Trump. Lionel Scaloni's squad had a turbulent tournament, facing resistance from Latin American fans due to perceived racism and arrogance. Spain, managed by Luis de la Fuente, secured the victory, with David Beckham and family among the attendees.
Jackson's History of Activism
The actor, whose films have grossed over $27 billion globally, has long spoken out against racism. In a 2023 interview with Rolling Stone, he said: 'When I grew up in segregation, I knew which white people didn’t want to be bothered with me.' He added that seeing Trump reminds him of 'the same rednecks' who used racial slurs to keep him 'in his place.' Jackson described the Republican Party as targeting 'young people, gay people' and anyone not 'them.'
Fan Reactions and FIFA Investigation
Jackson's post drew backlash from Argentine fans, who called it 'outrageous' and accused him of falling for 'anti-Argentina propaganda.' However, Brazilian journalist Julia Duailibi of O Globo wrote after Argentina's semi-final win over England: 'Racist scenes involving a minority of fans… turned my stomach.' FIFA launched an investigation into alleged racist abuse by an Argentina fan during a match against Cape Verde, involving influencer IShowSpeed. FIFA stated: 'The FIFA World Cup is a celebration of unity, diversity, and respect… anyone who acts in a manner that undermines these values is not welcome.'
