New York City’s Elmhurst neighborhood, known as “Little Argentina,” has long been a hub for the Argentinian diaspora. However, lifelong resident Christian Gimenez notes that much has changed in the area he grew up in, with only a few Argentinian restaurants and bakeries remaining as reminders of its past.

As Argentina prepares to face Spain in the 2026 World Cup final on Sunday, July 20th, in East Rutherford, New Jersey, just miles away, the neighborhood is vibrant with the national team’s iconic colors displayed everywhere—from asphalt and benches to storefronts and fire plugs.

Seventy-four-year-old Beatriz Jaime recalled watching Argentina’s 1978 World Cup victory over the Netherlands at Madison Square Garden and returning to find the neighborhood filled with people celebrating late into the night.

Shafiqul Alam, 66, who has lived in Elmhurst for 36 years, said the area has transformed and now includes a passionate new base of support for Argentina’s national team. This enthusiasm extends beyond the traditional Argentinian community, fueled in part by increased access to television in South Asia during the 1980s, which coincided with Diego Maradona’s 1986 World Cup triumph.

Sajid Bhuyan, 31, a local resident, expressed the neighborhood’s excitement, saying, “Knowing this could be Messi’s last match, everyone will want to watch.”

The 2026 World Cup has also seen controversies, including FIFA’s investigation into Argentina’s Falklands banner display during the semifinal, and concerns about Canadian wildfire smoke potentially affecting the final.

Sources