New York, USA – Thousands of Argentine fans took over Times Square this Saturday to stage a massive rally on the eve of the 2026 FIFA World Cup grand final against Spain, in a day filled with chants, flags, and a festive atmosphere that turned the heart of Manhattan into an extension of Buenos Aires.
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From 5:00 in the afternoon, local time, the followers of the Albiceleste began to gather with enormous flags, many of them decorated with the faces of Diego Armando Maradona and Lionel Messi, cheering on Lionel Scaloni’s team in search of their fourth World Cup.
The most repeated chant during the celebration was “He who doesn’t jump is Spanish”, an adaptation of the traditional Argentine football anthem that previously referred to England and which rang out loudly again before the decisive match.
Creativity was also present among the fans. Some wore goat masks in allusion to the term “GOAT” (Greatest Of All Time), used to highlight Lionel Messi as the greatest soccer player of all time. Others paraded in costumes alluding to the four stars that Argentina hopes to conquer if it defeats Spain in the final.
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The festive atmosphere included impromptu barbecues near Times Square, where dozens of fans shared the traditional Argentine asado while waiting for the most important match of the tournament.
The iconic New York setting was also accompanied by large advertising screens featuring figures such as Lamine Yamal, Lionel Messi, and Rodrigo de Paul, reinforcing the World Cup atmosphere being experienced in the city.
Argentina will seek this Sunday to win its fourth World Cup, while thousands of its fans have already shown in the streets of New York that the dream of lifting the trophy again is more alive than ever.
