Lionel Messi defends Argentina against bias claims after reaching World Cup final

Lionel Messi has publicly addressed persistent accusations of bias surrounding Argentina’s path to the 2026 World Cup final. Following a 2-1 victory over England on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, in Atlanta, the Argentina captain pushed back against claims that his team has benefited from preferential officiating or a favorable tournament draw. The win, secured after Argentina trailed 1-0 heading into the 85th minute, prompted mass celebrations in Buenos Aires and secured the team a spot in the final match against Spain.

The semifinal win was the latest in a series of late-game rallies that have fueled intense public debate. While Argentina’s supporters have celebrated the team’s ability to secure back-to-back final appearances, detractors have pointed to specific officiating decisions during the tournament as evidence of an institutional preference for the reigning champions. Messi rejected these narratives, describing the team's performance as a product of sustained excellence rather than external assistance.

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"We’ve been the best over these past four years, either you like it or not, and no matter what anyone says. Once again, we’ve established ourselves among the top two teams in the world. That proves that everything we’ve done is no fluke and that nothing was handed to us."

Lionel Messi, Argentina captain, via AP News

The discourse surrounding the team's legitimacy has been building for several weeks, exacerbated by specific high-profile matches. During a victory over Egypt, the team overcame a two-goal deficit to win 3-2, though the Egyptian Football Association later stated it cannot remain silent regarding what it described as biased officiating. Egypt’s coach, Hossam Hassan, explicitly alleged that the global soccer establishment has favored the Argentine side throughout the competition.

A separate point of contention arose during the match against Switzerland. The game pivoted when Swiss player Breel Embolo was sent off following a second yellow card for simulation after a challenge involving Leandro Paredes. Swiss coach Murat Yakin expressed frustration after the elimination, stating, We were punished because of a rule that in my opinion is completely unacceptable.

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has generally discouraged his players from engaging with the criticism, previously advising his squad to ignore social media reports. However, he addressed the allegations following the win over England, dismissing the efficacy of any outside interference in the era of video-assisted officiating.

"This talk of ‘help’ will always exist; it doesn’t bother me. With VAR today, it’s very difficult to get help; it would have to be glaringly obvious. We knew there was no help."

Lionel Scaloni, Argentina coach, via Republicworld

Ongoing Tensions

The semifinal match against England carried additional weight beyond the tournament bracket, reigniting a long-standing geopolitical rivalry regarding the Falkland Islands, known in Argentina as the Malvinas. On Thursday, July 16, 2026, the British government urged FIFA to investigate Argentina’s team after players celebrating their victory over England posed with a banner handed over by fans, reading “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” — “The Malvinas are Argentine.”

Midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who scored Argentina’s first goal in the match, acknowledged that his on-field celebration — which involved cupping his ears toward the crowd and then opening and closing his fingers, was a direct response to the atmosphere surrounding the team. There was a lot of talk; it was a mix of euphoria and frustration, Fernandez stated.

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Argentina remains focused on the final match against Spain scheduled for Sunday. The squad aims to secure a second consecutive world title, a feat Messi emphasized as proof of the team's quality. Reflecting on the criticism the team has faced, Messi maintained a defiant tone. If we had lost to England, there would have been people coming out to spout some nonsense, but we didn’t give them the chance, he said.