Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, has faced significant online backlash for suggesting that a "racist history" contributed to global fan sentiment against Argentina during a recent World Cup. The comments were made during a House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee hearing on Tuesday.
Crockett posited that the World Cup had "captured the imaginations of the entire world" due to the diverse players. When questioning a witness about why many fans seemed to be rooting against Argentina, with Spain being the other finalist, she stated, "There’s also a racist history that exists as it relates to Argentina."
The witness initially suggested that Spain might have been favored because they had the superior team, a response Crockett quickly dismissed.
Her assertion quickly drew sharp criticism on social media. Political commentator Riley Gaines questioned the relevance of the topic in a congressional hearing, stating, "Spain: Wins the World Cup That's it. That's literally it. Jasmine Crockett: ‘RACISM!!!!’" Conservative commentator Eric Daugherty called the remarks "delusional" and questioned Crockett's understanding, writing, "You can't make this up. She's too low IQ to be in the halls of Congress!"
An Argentine economist, Agustín Almada, responded to Crockett's claim on X, calling it a "blatant lie" and noting that Argentina began abolishing slavery during its war of independence from Spain.
Crockett is set to retire from Congress in January, having recently lost her bid for a U.S. Senate seat. The World Cup final match in question saw Spain defeat Argentina in New Jersey. FIFA President Gianni Infantino and former President Donald Trump presented the trophy to the Spanish team.