Lionel Messi, the captain of Argentina, has rejected claims that FIFA granted his team preferential treatment following their 2-1 victory over England in the 2026 World Cup semi-final. Messi played a pivotal role in the win, contributing two assists for goals by Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez.
Leading up to the match, there were allegations that referees had favored Argentina during the tournament. Both Egypt and Switzerland submitted formal complaints to FIFA regarding officiating during their respective losses to Argentina in the knockout rounds.
In a post-match interview, the 39-year-old forward addressed the controversy, stating that his team earned their success without any external help. He emphasized that the squad’s achievements are the result of hard work and unity rather than luck or bias. Messi noted that reaching consecutive World Cup finals is a rare feat that validates the group’s consistency and determination.
Argentina is set to compete against Spain in the final this Sunday, while England is scheduled to face France in the third-place match on Saturday.
