Conspiracy Theories at 2026 World Cup: AFA Chief Denounces Month of "Lies and Manipulation"

A month after Argentina’s defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final (1-0 a.e.t.), Argentine Football Federation (AFA) president Chiqui Tapia spoke out on Wednesday to denounce the conspiracy theories that dogged the Albiceleste throughout the tournament.

“A month of lies, manipulation and an abject campaign designed to make people believe this team had surrendered,” he declared, regretting that no apologies were offered once the baseless accusations were exposed.

Tapia directly targeted those he holds responsible. “What is unacceptable is to lie, to invent a story and fuel suspicions for days on end, then, when time proves it was all smoke and mirrors, to hide and pretend nothing happened.” He also denounced a deliberate intent to harm: “While our players were giving everything on the pitch, some, from the outside, were spreading hate, seeking to tarnish the image of the national team that has earned the respect of millions of people.”

The official did not spare those behind the most serious accusations. “It is impossible to move past having called national team players traitors,” he stated, before concluding with a clear demand: “When accusations are made, when lies are told and those who gave everything for this shirt are publicly hurt, offering an apology is not a favor, it is a duty. Those who gave everything have nothing to explain. Those who lied do.”

Defending champions following their triumph in Qatar in 2022, Lionel Messi’s Argentina had reached a second consecutive final before falling to Spain in extra time. The accusations referenced by Tapia were not specifically attributed to identified individuals or media outlets in his statement.