With the 2026 World Cup semi-finals underway, a social media post has gone viral outlining why Scots are 'contractually obliged' to support Argentina in their match against England. The account Scottish Banter shared 10 reasons, including shared ancestry, a Scot inventing Argentine football, and historical connections.
Shared ancestry and football origins
One of the key reasons is that around 100,000 Argentinians have Scottish ancestry, making it the fifth-largest Scottish diaspora in the world, according to the Scottish Government. The post claims that by supporting Argentina, Scots are essentially supporting themselves.
Additionally, in 1893, Glaswegian school teacher Alexander Watson Hutton founded Argentina's first football league in Buenos Aires after leaving Glasgow. Recognised as 'the father of Argentine football', Scottish Banter joked that 'Messi is just executing our lesson plans'.
Flag similarities and historical goals
Other reasons include that both Argentina and Scotland have blue and white in their flags, and that Patagonia resembles the Isle of Skye due to its miserable weather and millions of sheep.
The post also highlights that one of the greatest goals in World Cup history was scored in Argentina. In 1978, Archie Gemmill secured a 3-2 victory against the Netherlands in Mendoza by dancing through the Dutch defence. On the flip side, Diego Maradona scored his first international goal for Argentina in 1979 at Hampden Park in Glasgow, aged just 18.
Maradona's return and Scottish school
Maradona returned to Hampden in 2008 for his first match as Argentina's manager. Argentina also keeps the pipes alive at the St Andrew's Scots School in Buenos Aires, founded in 1838, where students wear tartan and have a competitive pipe band.
Mixed reactions from viewers
Many viewers were convinced, with one writing: 'Come on Argentina of course! We are family.' Another added: 'You are right, and Maradona always supported Scotland.' A third hoped: 'Surely to God Argentina can do it.' However, not everyone agreed. One person stated: 'Not a chance... I'll be supporting England on this one.' Another said: 'Genuinely don’t know if I could support Argentina here! So gonna pretend this game doesn’t matter. Mon France.' A dejected fan added: 'Support who you want it’s rigged anyway.'
England will face Argentina in the semi-final on Wednesday, July 15 at 8pm.
