LETTER: They Love Black Immigrants When We Win World Cups for Them

Dear Editor,

Spain’s 1-0 victory over Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final has again exposed one of Europe’s most uncomfortable hypocrisies: Black immigrants and their children are celebrated when they win trophies, but treated as threats when they seek dignity, opportunity and belonging.

When players such as Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams wear Spain’s colours and help carry the country to glory, they are embraced as national heroes. Their photographs fill newspapers, politicians congratulate them and supporters chant their names. At that moment, nobody questions whether they are “Spanish enough.”

But away from the football field, people who look like them are routinely told that they do not belong. Migrants are blamed for crime, unemployment, pressure on public services and almost every other social problem politicians cannot solve. Boats carrying desperate Africans are treated as invasions, while political movements build support by promising tighter borders and mass deportations.

The message is difficult to miss: Europe loves Black immigrants when they score goals, win medals and make the nation proud. It is far less enthusiastic about them when they need housing, employment, legal protection or simply the right to live without suspicion.

Many of the players praised as symbols of modern European nations are the sons of families who crossed borders in search of better lives. Their success did not emerge despite immigration. It is part of the immigration story.

Yet sporting success should not be the price of acceptance. A Black child should not have to become an international football star before being recognised as Spanish, French, English or Portuguese. Citizenship and belonging cannot be conditional upon how many goals someone scores.

Spain deserves congratulations for defeating Argentina and winning its second men’s World Cup. However, the celebrations should force the country — and Europe generally — to confront a difficult question.

If immigrant families are Spanish enough when their children lift the World Cup, why are they suddenly foreigners when elections approach?

The applause will eventually fade and the flags will be packed away. The real test is whether the same people celebrating these players today will defend their communities tomorrow.

A Concerned Caribbean Citizen

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