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Argentina captain, Lionel Messi, has rejected claims that FIFA has shown favouritism towards his team following their 2-1 victory over England in the semi-final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday.
The Argentina captain played a key role in the win, setting up goals for Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez as the defending champions secured a place in the final.
Before the encounter, Messi and Argentina had both been accused of receiving favourable decisions from FIFA referees throughout the World Cup.
Egypt and Switzerland even filed a complaint to FIFA over the officiating in their defeats to Argentina in the knockout stages.
Speaking after the match, Messi dismissed allegations that Argentina had benefited from favourable refereeing decisions during the tournament.
The 39-year-old forward said, “Let people keep enjoying it.
“What this group has achieved is incredible – another final, we have come back to be world champions, we are the best in the world after these four years, whether people like it or not, and no matter what they say.
“This proves that what we did wasn’t by chance and that nobody gave us anything. Reaching two World Cup finals is something few achieve, and this group did it.
“People out there had doubts, but when this group comes together and is united, it finds what it doesn’t have to give its all.”
Argentina will now play Spain in the World Cup final on Sunday, while England will face France in the third-place playoff on Saturday.
