Argentina midfielder Rodrigo De Paul says accusations of favouritism towards his country at the World Cup 2026 were made up to “soothe the pain of others who couldn’t experience what all Argentinians were experiencing”.
The 2022 champions lost to Spain after extra-time in the final on Sunday, having won a series of close knockout-stage matches and faced allegations from Egypt boss Hossam Hassan that organisers FIFA wanted Albiceleste captain Lionel Messi and his team “to stay in the running”.
“The greatest pain is that we couldn’t bring the World Cup back to our country, because if anyone deserved to relive that feeling, it was you,” De Paul told Argentina’s fans.
“Today, I see how many people were hoping for this defeat, spreading unfounded conspiracy theories throughout the World Cup to soothe the pain of others who couldn’t experience what all Argentinians were experiencing.
“[It’s] because our smiles bother them, because our mannerisms annoy them… but that only reaffirmed that the passion and love for our jersey can overcome anything.”
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World Cup 2026: Why Argentina faced accusations
Hassan called for the match officiating team to be removed from the finals and claimed Egypt had been “treated unfairly” and “suffered injustice” following his side’s last-16 defeat, having been 2-0 ahead in the 78th minute and had a goal ruled out.
In Argentina’s opening match of the tournament, captain Messi scored a hat-trick but might have been sent off early on for catching Algeria counterpart Aissa Mandi on the calf and Achilles, with the USA’s Folarin Balogun shown a red card for a similar challenge later in the group stage.
Switzerland had just equalised against Argentina in the quarter-finals when Nati forward Breel Embolo was dismissed for simulation, leading to suggestions that the outcome may have misapplied protocols.
Argentina did not receive any cautions for a string of strong early fouls during their semi-final win over England, with the move for their winner bearing similarities to Egypt’s disallowed goal against them.
“As the hours go by, you’re [fans] making us realise that your connection with this team goes far beyond the trophy,” said De Paul, who is also a teammate of Messi at MLS club Inter Miami.
“That’s something I want to hold onto to get through this moment. It will hurt for a long time but, today more than ever, I am proud to be Argentine.”
Argentina vs Spain: Paredes reacts to World Cup final
Midfielder Leandro Paredes was at the centre of unedifying scenes immediately after the final, pushing Spain counterpart Gavi to the ground in the most noticeable altercation as players from either side attacked each other on the pitch.
Ferran Torres scored the 106th-minute winner after Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez received a second booking during regular time.
“I love you today and always,” Paredes told fans. “I write with a heavy heart for not being able to give you the joy our country so deserves.
“But my heart is bursting with pride for giving everything we had and raising our flag high once again.
“Thank you to everyone who was part of this team; to this group of players,who gave their all to represent this jersey, just like they did until the very last second of every match.
“It was an honour to be part of the best Argentine national team in history.”
World Cup 2026 conspiracy theories: What referees said
FIFA’s chief refereeing officer, Pierluigi Collina, said the integrity of the match officials at the tournament was unquestionable.
“Of course, constructive discussion about decisions will always be part of football, but unfounded allegations have no place in our sport,” Collina said after Argentina beat Egypt, warning that such claims “may provoke reactions that lead to threats against [officials] and their families”.
“This is not right,” he added. “Equally, nobody can claim that FIFA refereeing can be influenced by anyone – not even by the FIFA president [Gianni Infantino].
“He [Infantino] has always shown his full support for [the World Cup 2026 officials] while trusting us to work with complete independence.
“Match officials make honest decisions and, just like players and coaches, they always try to do their best.”
World Cup referee: Claims of bias ‘nonsense’
Writing before this year’s final, Darren Cann, who was an assistant for the 2010 showpiece, said referees are “completely distinct from FIFA”.
“According to many fans, social media timelines and corners of the internet, FIFA wants Argentina and Lionel Messi to win the World Cup and the officials are all in on it,” Cann told BBC Sport.
“As referees, we are forced to deal with the idea that we are part of some kind of conspiracy theory all the time.
“It is nonsense. I can’t stress this strongly enough. I can’t think of many other professions in the world where there is one person with all that pressure on them.
“The referee is making multi-million-pound decisions and they have got one second to make their mind up.
“Mistakes have been made on the pitch, of course they have. But they do not add up to a conspiracy.
Englishman Cann addressed a rumour he had heard about that FIFA “wanted an Argentina vs Spain final to create a passing of the baton between Messi and [Spain’s] Lamine Yamal”.
“The suggestion that referees are in on some kind of masterplan to make sure Messi gets to the final is just not true, obviously,” he said.
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