Mia Khalifa Explains Her Anti-Messi Stance Amid World Cup 2026 Controversy

Mia Khalifa has addressed the backlash following her outspoken criticism of the Argentina national team during the 2026 World Cup, linking her views to broader political sentiments involving Israel. After a series of posts opposing Argentina and supporting Spain in the final, Khalifa responded to an Argentine follower who labeled her "anti-Messi and anti-Argentina" by reminding them, "Don't forget I'm also anti-Zionist."

Khalifa further clarified her position on Argentina after being called out for wearing a Barcelona jersey, the club where Lionel Messi played for many years. She stated she once wore an Argentina jersey until the team "stole the game from Egypt," referring to the controversial round of 16 match where Argentina defeated Egypt 3-2 amid Egyptian protests over disputed refereeing decisions. Following that match, Khalifa declared her support for Egypt and maintained her opposition to Argentina through to the final, where she cheered for Spain.

The controversy extended beyond Khalifa herself when Spanish singer Rosalía shared a TikTok post by Khalifa celebrating Argentina's loss to Spain in the final, which included a dance to Rosalía's song "La Perla." The post, which mocked Argentina's defeat, angered Argentine fans who reminded Rosalía of her upcoming concerts in Argentina. Rosalía quickly deleted the post and apologized, explaining she had shared it only because of the song and had not read Khalifa's accompanying comments.

This episode highlights the intersection of sports, politics, and social media reactions during the World Cup, with Khalifa's anti-Zionist stance adding a complex layer to her criticism of Argentina. The incident also strained relations between artists and fans across national lines during the tournament.