When Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recorded a warm message wishing Argentina success in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, the subtext was arguably more interesting than the football.
The exchange, in which Argentine President Javier Milei called Netanyahu his “dearest friend” in an audio message, reflects a deepening bilateral relationship that has quietly shaped Milei’s foreign policy posture since taking office.
Milei’s administration has moved Argentina toward a notably pro-Israel foreign policy stance, and the World Cup messaging is the latest visible expression of that relationship.
The timing matters. The 2026 FIFA World Cup final is set for July 19, 2026, meaning Netanyahu’s goodwill message landed in the days immediately preceding one of the most-watched sporting events on the planet.
In February 2025, Milei promoted the $Libra token. The price spiked, then collapsed, resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars in investor losses. Investigations followed. Public trust in the administration’s digital asset credibility took a direct hit.
