After Spain defeated Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, social media users fuelled speculation about alleged FIFA favouritism with a video that appeared to show blue fireworks set off at the end of the tournament, and that it was proof that the body had only prepared for the South Americans' victory. AFP photos and footage from media outlets all show that the fireworks were white, not blue.
"Spain's victory actually crashed FIFA's show," reads a Douyin video's caption in simplified Chinese shared on July 21.
It contains a screenshot of an X post published on July 20, showing blue fireworks at a stadium, while a Spanish flag was visible in the middle.
"If FIFA World Cup final was not rigged, why were the fireworks the colours of Argentina? Their plans were ruined by Spain," the post says, implying that the fireworks match the main colours of Argentina's flag ( archived link ).
The claim feeds into the conspiracy theory that FIFA has repeatedly displayed favouritism toward the Argentine team and skipper Lionel Messi (archived here and here ). FIFA's refereeing chief previously responded that these were "unfounded allegations" ( archived link ).
#spain
"Spain's victory actually crashed FIFA's show," reads a Douyin video's caption in simplified Chinese shared on July 21.
It contains a screenshot of an X post published on July 20, showing blue fireworks at a stadium, while a Spanish flag was visible in the middle.
"If FIFA World Cup final was not rigged, why were the fireworks the colours of Argentina? Their plans were ruined by Spain," the post says, implying that the fireworks match the main colours of Argentina's flag ( archived link ).
The claim feeds into the conspiracy theory that FIFA has repeatedly displayed favouritism toward the Argentine team and skipper Lionel Messi (archived here and here ). FIFA's refereeing chief previously responded that these were "unfounded allegations" ( archived link ).
#spain
2 months ago
