Racism controversy in 2026 World Cup

The 2026 World Cup has been repeatedly marred by racist remarks targeting France’s national team. On 3 July former Paraguayan goalkeeper José Luis Chilavert replied on X to criticism from ex‑France striker Christophe Dugarry, calling the squad a “selection of Africa” and invoking historic defeats. His comment was condemned as racist and revived scrutiny of his past discriminatory statements.

The controversy escalated on 11 July when former Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy wrote in *El Debate* that France could succeed “without French players”. French interior minister Laurent Nuñez, ministers Aurore Bergé and Naïma Moutchou, French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo and foreign minister Jean‑Noël Barrot denounced the column as “intolerable racism”. Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sánchez replied on X that the remarks were xenophobic and called for the “best team to win and racism to lose”.

On 12 July Sánchez and French foreign minister Stéphane Sejourne joined the denunciations, describing Rajoy’s comments as “intolerable” and “racist”. Spanish footballers publicly distanced themselves, and the Spanish embassy in Paris voiced disapproval.

Further fallout on 13 July saw French ministers Nuñez and Barrot label Rajoy’s remark “pathetic”, while Spanish leaders – PM Sánchez, foreign minister José Manuel Albares and interior minister Félix Bolaños – warned the statement could damage bilateral relations. Leading Spanish players Borja Iglesias and Pau Cubarsí publicly rejected the comment, emphasizing respect for all athletes. The People’s Party attempted to downplay the row; spokesperson Borja Sémper called the words sarcastic and without ill intent, and Ceuta mayor Juan Vivas rejected any link between nationality and ethnicity. The episode has revived broader debates about nationality, ethnicity and racism in sport across both countries.