The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has officially spoken out regarding a series of conspiracy theories that surfaced after the national team’s defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final.
AFA President Claudio Tapia affirmed that Argentina lost because the opponent played better, while dismissing speculation claiming the match result was influenced by external factors.
Following the final on July 20, manager Lionel Scaloni and captain Lionel Messi both hinted that an incident had occurred affecting the whole team just before kickoff. These statements quickly sparked a wave of theories on social media, while many Argentine fans even called on FIFA to order a replay of the final.
Nevertheless, Tapia spoke up to put an end to all controversies. “Don’t let lies deceive you. Spain was superior and they defeated us deservedly. Don’t let yourselves be carried away by rhetoric intended solely to divide and destabilize,” the head of the AFA emphasized.
In the match at MetLife Stadium, Ferran Torres scored the sole goal in extra time to deliver Spain’s second world championship title in history.
However, the focus after the match shifted to chaotic scenes on the pitch. Leandro Paredes, Nahuel Molina, and assistant coach Roberto Ayala were all captured engaging in altercations with Spanish players, prompting FIFA to open an investigation.
In his message to fans, Tapia also subtly alluded to those unpleasant images, while calling on the entire team to look ahead.
He wrote: “In sports, we must also learn to accept defeat with the same serenity as when enjoying victory. It is true that we lost in the final, but we cannot forget that this group just brought immense pride to the entire country.
Argentina had another memorable journey, because this team once again showed why they always hold a special meaning for the people of Argentina.
