An Argentinian business is turning the vagaries of the United States visa system into a promotional opportunity by offering free televisions to Argentine citizens whose applications to go to the US for the World Cup have been refused.
The consumer electronics and appliance giant Newsan has promised Noblex televisions to the first 100 people who could prove their application to travel to the US was denied between January and June 2026. “Give us your denied visa and take a free TV,” the marketing campaign declared on Instagram. The concept proved immediately popular, with queues supervised by security guards developing outside Newsan headquarters in the Argentinian capital and images showing people brandishing their new 32-inch HD LED smart TVs.
Argentine soccer fans whose US tourist visas were rejected lined up in Buenos Aires to receive free televisions from an electronics brand, a day before the start of the World Cup. Follow our #WorldCup2026 coverage here ➡️ https://t.co/j0CHJ6H6Uh pic.twitter.com/YDQwxCIPyg
— Reuters (@Reuters) June 11, 2026
One of the lucky recipients, Tomas Vageller, explained to the BBC one reason why this year’s competition means so much to Argentinians. “I applied for the visa because we all think this could be Messi’s last World Cup. I’m very sad I won’t be able to see him, but I’m leaving with a gift, and honestly I’m very happy about it,” Vageller said.
Argentine national treasure Lionel Messi, now aged 39, played for Barcelona for 17 years before signing with Paris Saint-Germain. With a net worth of over a billion dollars, he is also the face of a number of luxury brands, and, controversially, became brand ambassador for Saudi Arabian tourism in 2022. During his career, he has set numerous records and is the most decorated player in the history of professional football, having won 46 team trophies. He is regarded by many pundits, players, and fans as the GOAT (greatest of all time). Others call him the Atomic Flea (Pulga Atómica) due to his left-footed play, and short physical height, which, like his notorious compatriot Diego Maradonna, allows him to dodge more imposing players.
However, having helped Argentina to the World Cup title on penalties in Qatar in 2022, it is arguable that he has fulfilled his destiny. Some are even reporting that the usual passion for football and Messi in Argentina, and elsewhere, has been muted ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the build-up for which has been dominated by commentary on President Trump’s immigration agenda. Many teams and fans have faced difficulties gaining visas to enter the US, including individuals from Haiti, Iraq, Somalia, and even Switzerland.
More recently too, fears have multiplied over the spread of the deadly Ebola virus, leading to US entry restrictions. The risks of teamplay, strategy, and fan wellbeing being affected by extreme weather, climate change and El Niño have also been in the news.
But thanks to Newsan the fans who will be watching the tournament from the comfort of their own homes on their new televisions now no longer have to worry about visas, flights, weather, or accommodation and can concentrate on whether the “hand of God” will allow them to retain football’s biggest prize.
Meanwhile, fans who do manage travel to the US have the chance to experience a million-dollar version of the tournament, thanks to a World-Cup-focused luxury New York hotel giveaway, or to watch matches for free with locals, thanks to an Airbnb offer.
