FIFA investigates racist abuse aimed at streamer IShowSpeed during Argentina World Cup match

FIFA has opened an investigation into racist abuse directed at streamer IShowSpeed during Argentina’s World Cup group-stage match against Cape Verde at Miami Stadium on 3 July 2026.

IShowSpeed, the 21-year-old American content creator with more than 50 million YouTube subscribers, was livestreaming the match when a fan wearing an Argentina jersey appeared to tell him, in Spanish, to “go cry to the zoo.” IShowSpeed, who is Black, could be heard on his stream asking the fan what was being said toward him.

“FIFA strongly condemns racism, hate and discrimination in all forms. These actions have no place in football, at the FIFA World Cup, or anywhere in society,” FIFA said in a statement on Tuesday. “The FIFA World Cup is a celebration of unity, diversity and respect. It brings together people, cultures and communities from around the world, and anyone who acts in a manner that undermines these values is not welcome in our game.”

IShowSpeed and his representatives had not commented on the FIFA investigation at the time of publication.

The incident is one of two high-profile racism controversies to emerge from the tournament in quick succession. France captain Kylian Mbappé on Monday condemned Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla after she posted a series of racist comments on X following Paraguay’s round-of-16 defeat to France on Saturday, in which Mbappé converted the winning penalty. The posts mocked the French captain’s origins, upbringing, education and appearance.

Mbappé described Amarilla, a member of Paraguay’s Liberal Radical Party, as a “despicable woman” who was “unworthy” of serving in Congress, adding that her “brazen racism” had overshadowed her own players’ efforts at the tournament.

Amarilla subsequently issued an open letter in French and Spanish saying her grievance was with Mbappé personally rather than France as a country. She stated she regretted using the same insults she had herself received as a mixed-race person and confirmed she had deleted the original post, but also demanded an apology from Mbappé and threatened legal action if he did not retract his remarks.

The Paraguayan government distanced itself from the senator, releasing a statement condemning her comments as “contrary to the values and principles that inspire peaceful coexistence and respect for human dignity” and clarifying that they did not represent the country’s position.

France advanced to the quarterfinals and are scheduled to face Morocco next.