Scots Told to Back Argentina in World Cup Semi-Final
With the 2026 World Cup semi-finals approaching, a social media account has outlined why Scottish fans are 'contractually obliged' to support Argentina against England. The post from Scottish Banter lists 10 reasons for Scots to rally behind the Argentine team.
Shared Ancestry and Historical Ties
One key reason is shared ancestry. The Scottish Government estimates around 100,000 Argentines have Scottish ancestry, the fifth-largest Scottish diaspora globally. Additionally, Glaswegian teacher Alexander Watson Hutton founded Argentina's first football league in 1893, earning recognition as 'the father of Argentine football'. The post jokes that 'Messi is just executing our lesson plans'.
Cultural and Sporting Connections
Other reasons include both nations having blue and white in their flags, and Patagonia's resemblance to the Isle of Skye with its weather and sheep. The post also highlights that Archie Gemmill scored one of the 'greatest goals in World Cup history' in Argentina during the 1978 tournament. On the other hand, Diego Maradona scored his first international goal for Argentina at Hampden Park in 1979 and later managed the team there in 2008.
Mixed Reactions from Fans
Some fans agreed, with comments like 'Come on Argentina of course! We are family' and 'Maradona always supported Scotland'. However, others disagreed, stating 'Not a chance... I'll be supporting England' or 'Genuinely don’t know if I could support Argentina'. The semi-final match between England and Argentina is scheduled for July 15 at 8pm.
