Argentina's Messi responds to favouritism claims a...

By Nikhil Verma — 18 July 2026 — 5 min read

Lionel Messi has addressed criticisms regarding Argentina‘s path to the FIFA World Cup final, asserting that the team has earned its achievements through performance rather than favourable officiating or external influence. This comes as Argentina prepares to face Spain in the final on Sunday.

Argentina secured their spot in the final after a comeback victory against England in Wednesday’s semi-final, winning 2-1 after being down 1-0 in the 85th minute. This win led to widespread celebrations in Buenos Aires, with many fans taking to the streets as the team moved closer to potentially winning consecutive World Cups.

The team, managed by Lionel Scaloni, has demonstrated resilience throughout the tournament, with several comebacks. They previously defeated Cape Verde and Switzerland in extra time and overcame a 2-0 deficit with 11 minutes remaining to beat Egypt 3-2.

Allegations and responses

Despite their successes, Argentina has faced criticism. Coaches from Switzerland and Egypt questioned refereeing decisions following their defeats. The Egypt coach, Hossam Hassan, suggested that his team was disadvantaged by a football establishment that favoured Messi and Argentina.

These complaints have been amplified by some fans who believe the World Cup bracket benefited Argentina. Unsubstantiated claims have also circulated on social media, suggesting that FIFA desired the defending champions to retain their title.

Messi directly refuted these suggestions after the victory over England. He stated, “We’ve been the best over these past four years, either you like it or not, and no matter what anyone says.” He added that the team has once again established itself among the top two teams globally, proving their achievements are not a fluke and nothing was given to them.

Previously, Argentina had largely refrained from addressing these favouritism allegations. Coach Lionel Scaloni had advised journalists to avoid excessive social media consumption when questioned about the issue in earlier press conferences. However, after reaching another World Cup final, the team decided to respond.

Messi highlighted the rarity of reaching two consecutive World Cup finals, noting that this group achieved it. He remarked that if they had lost to England, critics would have emerged, but the team did not give them that opportunity.

The semi-final match against England also rekindled a long-standing football rivalry, influenced by historical disputes such as that over the Falkland Islands, known as the Malvinas in Argentina.

Following the win, the British government urged FIFA to investigate Argentina after players celebrated by posing with a banner from supporters that read, “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” (The Malvinas are Argentine).

Midfielder Enzo Fernandez indicated that his celebration after scoring Argentina’s equaliser was a message to critics. His gesture, cupping his hands to his ears before repeatedly opening and closing his fingers, is commonly interpreted in football as telling critics to continue talking. Fernandez described it as a mix of euphoria and frustration due to the extensive discussions surrounding the team.

Online petition and fan sentiment

In a related development, an online petition reportedly signed by over 10 million people is demanding Argentina’s expulsion from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The petition cites allegations of refereeing bias and FIFA favouritism.

Football content creator Akhil Ratra believes the petition is an overreaction but acknowledges the underlying frustration. He notes that debates about controversial refereeing decisions involving Argentina have surfaced in previous tournaments as well. Ratra suggests that when supporters consistently perceive similar incidents being adjudicated differently, they naturally question the consistency of standards.

While considering the expulsion of Argentina unrealistic, Ratra cautions against dismissing the concerns of millions of fans. He observes that the digital age has transformed every supporter into a commentator, with contentious refereeing decisions quickly circulating globally.

Aashish Pandey, a football enthusiast and content creator, attributes the allegations more to perception than concrete proof. He explains that major teams and star players inevitably face greater scrutiny, magnifying every contentious decision. Pandey stresses that disappointment after a defeat should not be mistaken for evidence of systemic bias, despite acknowledging that even as a Cristiano Ronaldo supporter, he occasionally questions decisions involving Argentina.

Sarthak Bose, a professional football player and content creator, adds that refereeing mistakes are an inherent part of football. He suggests that, without solid proof of bias, most reactions stem from emotions following significant matches. Bose points out that football’s emotional nature makes it susceptible to conspiracy theories, especially when global icons like Messi or institutions like FIFA are involved.

Hans Gupta, a football content creator, believes the core issue driving the online backlash is the perception of inconsistent refereeing. He highlights instances where some challenges receive thorough VAR scrutiny while others appear to go unreviewed, creating an impression of uneven standards. Gupta also references Argentina’s match against Egypt, where a disallowed Egyptian goal and an unpunished late challenge before Argentina’s winning goal intensified public debate.

Despite the viral momentum, FIFA regulations pose a significant obstacle to the petition’s demands. Sarthak Bose clarifies that FIFA makes decisions based on its rules and official processes, not on online trends. National teams cannot be removed from the World Cup due to disagreements over refereeing decisions or sporting outcomes.

Suspensions are only enacted for defined breaches of FIFA statutes, such as government interference, corruption, discrimination, or other violations. Therefore, while public opinion may dominate online discussions, it does not dictate tournament participation, and the petition holds no legal authority over FIFA’s disciplinary processes.

Controversies surrounding refereeing decisions have been noted in various tournaments, including allegations of bias against Norway in the FIFA 2026 Quarter-finals, widespread allegations during Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph, and debates over a controversial handball in UEFA Euro 2024.

The Chelsea player Enzo Fernandez scored Argentina’s equaliser against England in the semi-final.

What comes next

Argentina is scheduled to play Spain in the World Cup final on Sunday.

The team’s focus remains on the upcoming final, with Messi’s comments underscoring their belief in their earned success amid ongoing external scrutiny and online discussions.

The debate surrounding refereeing and alleged favouritism continues to be a prominent topic in global football discussions, particularly as the World Cup final approaches on Sunday.

The British government urged FIFA to investigate Argentina on Thursday.