Israeli President Isaac Herzog congratulated Spain on its victory in the 2026 World Cup, which was hosted across North America. "My best wishes to His Majesty King Felipe VI, the team, and the people of Spain on winning the World Cup. I hope to see Israel at the next World Cup hosted in your country, as well as in Portugal and Morocco!" Herzog said in a post on social media.
Herzog also acknowledged Argentina, which lost to Spain 0-1 in the final after 120 minutes of play, praising the country "for their extraordinary run through this tournament to the final."
The president remarked that the World Cup "has once again shown the power of sport to unite people across borders in a spirit of goodwill, harmony, and joy."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had expressed support for Argentina ahead of the match, which was played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Netanyahu sent a personal message to Argentine President Javier Milei during a meeting with Buenos Aires's ambassador to Israel, Rabbi Shimon Axel Wahnish, at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem on Saturday night. Wahnish played an audio message from Milei, who told Netanyahu, "You are my friend, always supporting us. I was happy to hear that you are rooting for Argentina because of me."
Israeli-Spanish relations have deteriorated under Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's government, which has repeatedly criticized Israel's military operations in Gaza and pursued anti-Israel initiatives internationally.