Iran officially extended congratulations to Spain following their 2026 World Cup final win against Argentina. Iranian leadership characterized the victory as a source of satisfaction for global critics of the United States and Israel. Public sentiment online suggested widespread support for the Spanish team, largely driven by the Spanish government’s vocal opposition to Israel’s military operations in Gaza and their critical stance regarding the conflict involving Iran.
Conversely, supporters of Argentina, including Israeli politicians, backed the South American side, noting Argentine President Javier Milei’s strong public alignment with Israeli policies. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, a senior Iranian negotiator, praised the Spanish team for demonstrating qualities of independence and respect, linking their athletic success to the government’s political position on Palestine. Esmaeil Baqaei, spokesperson for the Iranian foreign ministry, further lauded Spain’s recent diplomatic efforts against perceived aggression and oppression as highly significant.
