Mariano Rajoy’s “no French” comment ignites Spain‑France diplomatic row

Former Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy wrote an opinion piece stating that the French national football team plays “at a high level, but without French”. The remark, made ahead of the Spain‑France World Cup 2026 semifinal, was condemned as racist and xenophobic by French interior minister Laurent Nuñez and French foreign minister Jean‑Nöel Barrot, who called the comments “pathetic”. Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez and several members of his cabinet, including foreign minister José Manuel Albares and interior minister Félix Bolaños, also denounced the statement and warned it could harm bilateral relations. Leading Spanish players such as Borja Iglesias and Pau Cubarsí publicly rejected the comment, emphasizing respect for all players. The governing People’s Party (PP) attempted to downplay the controversy, with spokesperson Borja Sémper describing Rajoy’s words as “sarcastic and without ill intent”. The dispute has drawn reactions from regional politicians, including Ceuta’s mayor Juan Vivas, and has revived broader debates about nationality, ethnicity and racism in sport across both countries.