India, Aug. 1 -- After a bruising World Cup defeat gave way to what many Argentines saw as a sweeping wave of hatred against their country, Argentine President Javier Milei signed an emergency decree empowering the government to deny entry to or expel foreigners who incite discrimination or violence against Argentines because of their nationality.

Milei's office cast the decree as a response to weeks of criticism from celebrities, opposing fans and social media users after controversial refereeing decisions fuelled speculation that FIFA had tilted the soccer tournament in favour of the Argentina team and superstar Lionel Messi. Detractors directed their anger about occasionally aggressive Argentine fans and the team's roughhousing on the...