Argentina tops FIFA’s ‘most hated’ World Cup ranking

Argentina were the most targeted national team on social media during the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, according to findings released by FIFA. The reigning world champions faced sustained online criticism throughout the tournament, with many discussions centred on alleged refereeing advantages and the influence of Lionel Messi.

The study, carried out by FIFA’s Social Media Protection Service, analysed more than 17 million posts and comments across major platforms. Argentina topped the ranking for hostile content, followed by England, Spain, Brazil and Norway.

FIFA noted that the figures do not reflect popularity levels but rather the volume of offensive or accusatory messages directed at teams. High-profile rivalries, media exposure and controversial incidents often contribute to increased negative engagement. In the player rankings, Argentine internationals placed fourth, behind footballers from France, England and Portugal during the tournament overall.