Samuel L Jackson’s feelings on the 2026 World Cup result are seemingly clear after he urged Black people ‘not to cheer’ for Argentina.
Last night, Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina squad was defeated 1-0 in extra time, leaving Spain, managed by Luis de la Fuente, to lift the trophy (presented to them by Donald Trump) at New York New Jersey Stadium.
Anticipation was rife ahead of the game, with the likes of David Beckham and his family in attendance to see how the tournament would end.
And in his own social media post before kickoff, Jackson implored his fans to back Spain.
The 77-year-old actor reshared a post from the SEC Black Alumni Network on his Instagram Story, which featured an AI-generated image of his character, Stephen, from the 2012 movie Django Unchained.
Directed by Quentin Tarantino, the Western/action movie follows a vengeful husband who joins forces with a German bounty hunter to rescue his wife from a Mississippi plantation.
In the image he shared, Jackson’s Stephen wears an Argentina football shirt, accompanied by the text: ‘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.
‘”If you are a Black person cheering for Argentina, this is what you look like to me.”‘
‘We hear you loud and clear,’ it ended.
Jackson’s repost soon circulated, with some Argentine fans calling it ‘outrageous’ and accusing him of falling for ‘anti-Argentina propaganda’ despite ‘evidently not knowing much about history’.
The American movie star and producer, whose films have collectively grossed more than $27billion (£20bn) worldwide, has long used his platform to speak out against racism.
In 2023, he told Rolling Stone: ‘When I grew up in segregation, I knew which white people didn’t want to be bothered with me, and I knew how they felt about me.’
He added that, when he ‘sees Trump’, he sees ‘the same rednecks’ who called him racist slurs when he was younger to ‘keep [him] in [his] place’.
‘That’s what the Republican Party is to me. They’re doing it to young people, gay people. They don’t care who you are. If you’re not them, you’re the enemy.’
Argentina had a tumultuous journey to the World Cup final. Despite being the last Latin American team standing, many football fans across the region rooted against them, citing racism and arrogance.
Led by Lionel Messi in their blue and white stripes, the team faced particular resistance from audiences in Mexico, with whom Argentina has a layered rivalry, since they have not lost to Mexico since 2004. Cultural resentments also played a part.
In contrast, though, some Mexican fans expressed remorse about the wave of anti-Argentine opinions and how they’ve played out online, often in very unruly manners.
Meanwhile, Brazilian journalist and columnist Julia Duailibi, who writes for leading Brazilian newspaper O Globo, penned after Argentina beat England in the semi-final: ‘I have always been an admirer of the hermanos [an affectionate term for Argentinians] and would have loved to cheer on a fellow South American team.
‘But I admit that the racist scenes involving a minority of the fans and the silence of the majority on the pitch turned my stomach.’
Indeed, racist actions from some fans were captured during the World Cup, with an investigation ultimately launched by FIFA into alleged racist abuse involving American social media influencer IShowSpeed and a supporter during Argentina’s win against Cape Verde.
IShowSpeed, whose real name is Darren Jason Watkins Jr, 21, has over 100million followers across his platforms and live-streamed matches during the tournament. FIFA president Gianni Infantino and ex-Barcelona and AC Milan forward Zlatan Ibrahimović featured in some.
The alleged incident took place on July 3 after the last-32 game, after which the governing body ‘immediately’ initiated a probe.
Footage showed the internet personality wearing a Cape Verde kit and being confronted by an Argentina fan in the stands.
FIFA said in a subsequent statement: ‘The FIFA World Cup is a celebration of unity, diversity, and respect.
‘It brings together people, cultures, and communities from around the world, and anyone who acts in a manner that undermines these values is not welcome in our game.’
Reps for Samuel L Jackson have been contacted for comment.