Just before the final of the 2026 World Cup, where Argentina played against Spain, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent a message to President Javier Milei. In this message, he stated: 'Javier [Milei], you are a true friend, a great friend. We support you, we support Argentina in many ways.'
After Spain defeated Argentina 1-0, the match took on significant political undertones that went far beyond a football event. Many on social media began portraying Argentina as Israel's team and Spain as Palestine's team, which was easily understood.
Milei made support for Israel a defining feature of Argentine foreign policy. He consistently supported Netanyahu throughout the genocide in Gaza, publicly spoke about a possible conversion to Judaism, and promised to move the Argentine embassy to Jerusalem.
Spain took the opposite stance. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez condemned the genocide in Gaza, called for the arrest of those responsible, and recognized the State of Palestine in 2024. Even famous athletes became part of this contrast: Lionel Messi faced criticism for past ties to Israel, while Lamine Yamal from Spain displayed the Palestinian flag after winning the league title with Barcelona.
Netanyahu, who is an unpopular Israeli prime minister and is under an international criminal court warrant for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during Israel's attack on Gaza, was not the only Israeli politician supporting Argentina. Ministers in his cabinet also actively sought to strengthen this parallel.
The Argentine ambassador to Israel, Rabbi Shimon Axel Vanish, visited the ultra-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich before the final and presented him with an Argentine jersey and the official World Cup ball. The ICC prosecutor also reportedly requested an arrest warrant for Smotrich on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
Smotrich stated: 'Every patriotic Israeli supports Argentina. Go, Argentina!' National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir backed this up, saying: 'We will love those who love Israel. Go, Argentina.' Transport Minister Miri Regev wrote: 'Congratulations to the Argentine people and my friend President Milei. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you in the final!' Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon also publicly noted Argentina's victories.
However, perhaps more about Milei speaks from Israel's attachment to Argentina than about Argentina itself. After the semi-final match against England, one fan rejected the idea that the national team represented Israel's political camp. This woman stated in a widely circulated video: 'No Argentinian who is a real Argentine supports Israel. Don't believe our damned president, who was put there for money.'
A poll conducted by the Pew Research Center between February 8 and May 13, 2026, showed that 55 percent of Argentinians held very or somewhat unfavorable views toward Israel, while only 21 percent rated it positively.
Netanyahu himself emphasized that the support for Israel is based on Milei, not the country as a whole. He noted in the Ben Ben Baruch podcast: 'They have a superstar president... Milei is a huge friend to Israel.' Addressing the Argentine ambassador, Netanyahu added: 'I don't hide the fact that I am a fan of Argentina. Most Israelis are fans of Argentina because President Milei revolutionized Argentina's relationship with us. We do not have a greater or better friend.'
This transformation was quite noticeable. Argentina recognized the State of Palestine in 2010 under President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner. Meanwhile, Milei, a self-proclaimed 'anarcho-capitalist' who took office in December 2023, steered the country into Netanyahu's orbit, making support for Israel a central part of his international identity.
This contrast also brings to mind Diego Maradona. Unlike Messi, the late Argentine football icon openly spoke about Palestine and met with the President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas during the 2018 World Cup. Maradona declared: 'In my heart, I am Palestinian.'
Proteas' fast bowler, Lungie Ngidi, stated that the decisive match for him in the World Test Championship final at Lord's stadium was the main turning point that revived his international career.
Ngidi shared in an exclusive interview with IOL during the Cricket SA (CSA) awards ceremony in Sandton. He noted that all the momentum started precisely when he took three wickets for nine overs and managed to maintain that pace up to the present day.
Before the WTC final in London last June, Ngidi was not a guaranteed player in the squad, and fans and experts actively advocated for the selection of Ntine Olifant Bartman. Nevertheless, Proteas coach Shukri Conrad supported the experienced fast bowler, and the 30-year-old athlete does not regret this decision.
Ngidi explained that the main change was the increase in playing time. He mentioned the coach's words that the more he plays, the better he gets, which was a huge plus for his career. Previously, he lacked time on the field, which led to instability.
Even in the first half of the match at Lord's, Ngidi initially struggled, taking no wickets and conceding 45 runs in eight overs. While Kagiso Rabada (5/51) and Marco Jansen (3/49) dominated the Australian batting, Ngidi managed to change the course of the game in the second half.
He emphasized that Shukri gave him opportunities, and he was able to respond with results, which he believes is a player's duty. Ngidi believes that this decisive match served as a long-awaited boost to his international form. After this, he went to Australia, where he achieved a five-wicket haul, participated in the series in England, and also played in T20, the World Cup, and SA20 in India. He compared this to a snowball effect, where good results lead to new successes.
Ngidi added that in cricket, you often continue to act as you did the day before if the results are positive. This snowball effect, starting with one over at Lord's, changed everything in his career, making it significantly easier than in previous years.
The Australian team is preparing to play a two-match test series on home soil against Bangladesh. Australian cricket has unveiled a squad of 13 players. Well-known athletes such as Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon have returned to the team, where they will now play alongside captain Pat Cummins.
Previously, captain Pat Cummins was absent due to injury, but he has now returned. Before this, Pat Cummins managed to play only one Test match during Ashes 2025-26, while Josh Hazlewood missed the entire Ashes series and could not participate in the 2026 T20 World Cup due to injury. Nevertheless, Hazlewood demonstrated strong form by returning to the RCB squad for IPL 2026, where the team won the trophy twice in a row, and his contribution was significant.
Following the retirement of Usman Khawaja, Travis Head received a promotion and became the opening batsman. Jack Verhodeld will also feature in this series alongside Travis Head. The return of these stars led to some younger players being excluded from the squad. Michael Neeser and Brendan Doggett, who performed excellently in the Ashes, were unable to secure a spot in the team.
Spinner Todd Murphy is also not included in the squad against Bangladesh, although he will train with the team for potential use as a reserve. These three players attracted attention from fans due to their recent performances. Bangladesh is visiting Australia for the first time in 23 years to play a Test series. The first match is scheduled from August 13 to 17 at the Marrira Cricket Grand in Darwin, and the second match will take place from August 22 to 26 at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay. Australia aims to assert its dominance by winning both matches by a large margin.
Over the history between the two teams, 6 Test matches have been played, with Australia securing 5 victories. Bangladesh managed only one win, which was achieved in a match in Mirpur in 2017. In the ICC Test Championship table, Australia holds a confident first place with 7 wins in 8 matches, while Bangladesh is in fourth place with 2 wins in 4 matches.
