She Tried to Explain World Cup Fandom With One Word — and the Room Went Silent

During a House hearing on the Smithsonian’s approach to American history, Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) questioned why many fans appeared to root against Argentina in the World Cup final against Spain.

“The World Cup that captured the imaginations of the entire world, when they saw all these people of color that was playing for all these teams… it seemed like the vast majority of the world was rooting for Argentina—or actually against Argentina, right?” she asked historian David Blight. “And why was that?”

Blight replied, “Spain had the best team. Maybe that’s why they were rooting for them?”

Crockett then asserted, “There’s also a racist history that exists as it relates to Argentina.”

The exchange quickly circulated online. Critics described the remarks as an attempt to inject racial motives into ordinary sports fandom. Crockett has previously drawn attention for other high-profile statements, including comments defending a high-school stabbing suspect.

The hearing itself focused on broader debates over how American history is presented in national institutions.