Denied a US visa to watch the World Cup? Have a free TV, says Argentine company

Reuters - Dozens of Argentines who were denied ​visas to travel to the United States to ‌see the World Cup will at least have a new free television to watch the games.

Argentine conglomerate Newsan promised ​to give out local brand Noblex televisions ​to the first 100 people who lined ⁠up on Wednesday outside its Buenos Aires ​office with paperwork in hand showing they had been ​denied a visa between January and June of this year to visit the United States.

One of the lucky winners was Tomas Vageller, ‌a ⁠24-year-old professional videogame player.

"I went to get a visa because we all think it will be Messi's last World Cup," he said. "It's very sad ​I won't be ​able to ⁠see it, but well, I'm leaving with a gift."

In three-time World Cup ​winner Argentina, soccer fever has been unusually tempered ​days ⁠before the 2026 World Cup kicks off in North America - much less feverish than in 2022, which ⁠many ​saw as Argentina's last hope ​to win the tournament under Lionel Messi's leadership.