World Cup 2026: The football fans choosing underdogs over their home nation

In short

A Guardian feature profiles six football fans who do not support their own national team, instead rooting for underdog sides for reasons ranging from a favorite player to political affiliations. The piece surfaces as the World Cup semi-finals approach, with Lionel Messi's Argentina facing England in a politically charged match. Manager Lionel Scaloni insists he won't mix politics and football, but the phenomenon underscores how personal allegiances often defy birthright. Messi's enduring magic at 39 continues to draw neutral support, adding another layer to the global tournament's narrative.

Not every football fan cheers for the country of their birth. As the World Cup semi-finals approach, a new feature in The Guardian reveals the stories of supporters who have chosen to back a side other than their own national team. From admiration for a single player to a deep connection with a nation's culture, the reasons are as varied as the fans themselves.

“Footballers need to be born in a country or have a family tie to that place to represent them at the World Cup, but those rules do not apply to supporters. Sometimes fans are won over by a player, place, population or style of play,” The Guardian explains.

The timing is particularly poignant. On Wednesday, Lionel Messi's Argentina face England in a titanic semi-final that carries decades of history—both on and off the pitch. For many neutrals, the allegiances they have formed outside their passport nation will be tested.

Why fans ditch their home team

The Guardian piece, titled ‘I root for underdogs’, profiles six individuals who explain their unconventional support. While their specific stories are as diverse as the global game, common threads emerge: a childhood idolisation of a player, an affinity for a team's style, or even a political stance.

Politics, in particular, can push a supporter away from their own flag. Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni addressed the elephant in the room on the eve of the semi-final, insisting he would not “mix football and politics” despite the fierce England-Argentina rivalry that dates back to the Falklands conflict and iconic World Cup clashes.

“I'm not going to mix football and politics. We have to play. The people follow Argentina. The people want to see our team play,” Scaloni said.

Yet for some fans, the two are inseparable. Choosing to back a perceived underdog can be a quiet form of protest or a gesture of solidarity with a smaller nation. Argentina, despite their pedigree, carry that underdog aura in this fixture for many because of the David-and-Goliath narratives that surround Messi's final World Cup campaign.

The Messi factor

Even at 39, Messi remains the tournament's biggest draw. Analysis by The Guardian highlights that his sprinting ability in key moments still compares favourably with younger contemporaries, making him a magnetic force for neutrals. “England’s defenders will face an extreme challenge when they come up against Lionel Messi,” the report warns.

For the six fans in the Guardian feature, a player of Messi's ilk can single-handedly win over a supporter for life. Whether it’s his artistry, his humility, or his story of finally lifting the World Cup in 2022, the Argentina captain transcends borders.

What comes next?

As the semi-final looms, the stands and living rooms worldwide will be filled with fans whose hearts beat for a country not their own. Their passion is a reminder that football's greatest strength is its ability to unite people across arbitrary lines. The Guardian feature gives voice to a part of fandom that is often overlooked, and in a tournament defined by national identity, it’s a timely exploration of what it truly means to support a team.