Explore referee controversies in the 2026 World Cup, including conspiracy theories about Argentina and Messi, with insights from former officials and players.
As the 2026 World Cup final approaches, with Argentina set to face Spain on Sunday, a familiar cloud of suspicion has settled over the tournament. Social media timelines and fan forums are buzzing with a persistent claim: FIFA wants Argentina and Lionel Messi to win, and the officials are part of the plan. The evidence cited includes Egypt's disallowed goal in the round of 16 and Breel Embolo's red card against Switzerland in the quarter-final. But how much substance is there to these conspiracy theories? We spoke to a former World Cup official and a former Premier League star to get their take.
Darren Cann, who served as an assistant referee at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups as part of a team led by Howard Webb, is unequivocal. “I can't stress this strongly enough,” Cann told the BBC. “The suggestion that referees are in on some kind of masterplan to make sure Messi gets to the final is just not true, obviously.”
Cann explains that the logistical reality of a World Cup makes any coordinated conspiracy nearly impossible. Referees are drawn from all four corners of the globe, representing different football associations and confederations. They are effectively borrowed by FIFA for six weeks and housed in a separate training camp, completely distinct from the organization's executive committee. “I can promise you there aren't any clandestine meetings between FIFA's executive committee and the referees,” Cann said. “We don't see any of the suits at all.”
Instead, the daily routine is grueling: physical training, watching clips, debriefing previous matches. “There's not a lot of downtime,” Cann added. “Once you have completed one assignment, you are preparing for the next one.” This schedule leaves little room for the kind of backroom plotting that conspiracy theorists imagine.
Despite Cann's assurances, the perception of bias persists. Fans point to two specific incidents that they believe favored Argentina. The first was Egypt's disallowed goal in the round of 16, a decision that many felt was harsh. The second was the red card shown to Switzerland's Breel Embolo in the quarter-final, which some argued was an overreaction by the referee. These calls, combined with Argentina's path to the final, have fueled the narrative that the tournament is being scripted for Messi.
England, who face Argentina in a blockbuster semi-final in Miami, have been warned by some pundits that they may have to overcome a perceived bias. But not everyone is buying into the theory.
Former Chelsea and Nigeria midfielder John Obi Mikel has a blunt explanation for the conspiracy theories. Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast alongside Gary Lineker, Lucy Bronze, and Joe Cole, Mikel dismissed the idea that FIFA is favoring Argentina. “No, I'm not buying into that bull****,” he said. “This is all the Ronaldo fans coming up with all of this crap.”
Mikel, who was part of the analysis team for the semi-final, argued that Argentina earned their path by winning their group. “If they won their games, which they should have done, they would not play tougher teams,” he said. “Argentina did their job, they won their games, and they got into the easier group. FIFA are not favouring Messi.”
Mikel's comments highlight a growing trend in football fandom: the tribalism that extends beyond club allegiances to the international stage. The rivalry between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, two of the greatest players of all time, has created a polarized fanbase that is quick to see bias where none exists.
While the debate over human officiating rages on, the role of technology in the 2026 World Cup has been a quieter but equally important story. The tournament has seen the continued use of VAR (Video Assistant Referee) and goal-line technology, but the conversation is increasingly turning to the potential for AI-assisted officiating. Could artificial intelligence help reduce the perception of bias by providing more consistent and transparent decision-making?
For now, the technology remains a tool for human referees, not a replacement. But as the controversy over Argentina's perceived favoritism shows, the human element is still the most scrutinized part of the game. The final on Sunday will be Messi's 34th World Cup match, and whether he lifts the trophy or not, the debate over the referees' role in his journey is unlikely to end.
For more on the intersection of technology and sports, check out our analysis of halftime show tech innovations and the logistics of venue changes.
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