Argentina's run to the 2026 FIFA World Cup final has not been without controversy. While Lionel Scaloni's side has impressed on the pitch, questions surrounding officiating and allegations of FIFA favoritism have followed the defending champions throughout the tournament.
Going into the semifinal, the defending champions continued to face allegations of favoritism, with Egypt's complaint to FIFA over officiating decisions following its Round of 16 loss to Argentina becoming one of the biggest controversies of the tournamet.
Following Argentina's dramatic semifinal victory over England, Lionel Messi finally addressed those claims and dismissed the criticism.
Messi Slams Pro-Argentina Bias
The defending champions ended England's impressive run after goals from Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez secured Argentina's place in a third World Cup final in the last three tournaments.
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
After the match, Messi was asked about the ongoing claims that Argentina has received preferential treatment from FIFA. The captain made it clear that he has little interest in entertaining those criticisms.
“Let people keep enjoying it. What this group has achieved is incredible, another final, we’ve come back to be world champions, we’re the best in the world after these four years, whether people like it or not, and no matter what they say,” he said after the semi final win over England.
“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.”
The Inter Miami forward also praised the collective effort of the squad and expressed his joy at giving fans in Argentina something to celebrate.
“This group doesn’t surprise me. I know and we knew what we were capable of. 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.”
“We are proud and happy to be able to give this to the people, we know that the World Cups are special for us,” Messi said.
"We forget all the bad things we have to go through, there are people who have a hard time, who don’t have a job, who don’t make ends meet, it’s our life, what we’ve always had to deal with, it’s beautiful to be able to give this joy to them."
Looking ahead to the World Cup final, Messi acknowledged the pressure that comes with representing Argentina on football's biggest stage.
“We Argentinians always demand more. If we had lost to England today, there would have been people saying stupid things, and we didn’t give them the chance… we knew that we were better than them at football, but it’s still special because of everything it means.”
Argentina will face Spain in the finals which takes place on 19th July at the MetLife Stadium.
