Former U.S. President Donald Trump publicly backed Lionel Messi and the Argentina national team during the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.

The endorsement has become a focal point for late-night comedy after Argentina lost the match to Spain. Comedians are framing the result as part of a recurring pattern where Trump's public support coincides with athletic failure.

The final took place on July 20, 2026 [1]. Following the match, late-night hosts used the outcome to revive the concept of a “sports curse” associated with the former president. Seth Meyers said Trump is a “sports reaper” due to the perceived trend of teams he roots for suffering losses [2].

According to reports, the humor stems from previous instances where Trump's public endorsements were linked to poor outcomes for those teams [1], [2]. The narrative suggests that his backing acts as a negative omen for the athletes involved [3].

This latest instance occurred on the largest stage in global sports. The loss by Argentina to Spain provided a high-profile example for critics and comedians to highlight the supposed curse. The discussion focuses on the irony of a public figure's support potentially signaling a defeat rather than a victory [1], [3].

While the claims of a curse are presented as comedy, the reaction reflects the intersection of sports and political celebrity. The trend of tracking Trump's sporting preferences has historically served as a vehicle for satire in U.S. media [2].

“Seth Meyers said Trump is a “sports reaper” over his curse on every team he roots for.”

The reaction to the 2026 World Cup final illustrates how political figures in the U.S. remain central to cultural narratives even in non-political arenas. By framing a sporting loss as a 'curse,' late-night media continues to use the former president's public persona as a catalyst for satire, blending global athletic events with domestic political commentary.