Former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has come under sharp criticism after making remarks about France's national football team ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal against Spain. The comments, published in a column for Spanish outlet El Debate, have been widely condemned by French officials, football authorities, and members of Spain's ruling government, who described them as racist and inconsistent with the values of modern sport.

In the article published on July 10, Rajoy wrote that while France had won every match at the tournament and possessed an exceptionally strong squad, it "does not have any French players." The remarks sparked immediate backlash as they appeared to question the national identity of players based on their ethnic or racial backgrounds. The controversy comes just days before France and Spain are scheduled to meet in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal in Dallas.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot strongly rejected the statement, saying that France "has no skin color" and that any suggestion otherwise reflected "stupidity, racism or a combination of the two." French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo also condemned the remarks, stating that they carried "intolerable whiffs of racism." He added that France's players did not require a certificate of nationality from a former Spanish prime minister.

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Spain's Socialist government also distanced itself from Rajoy's comments. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, without naming his predecessor, wrote on social media that some people still judge belonging by surname, birthplace or skin colour, while others recognise it through commitment and contribution to society. He concluded his message by wishing both teams well in the semifinal and expressing hope that "racism loses." Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares also called for opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo to publicly reject Rajoy's remarks.

The controversy follows another incident involving France captain Kylian Mbappé earlier in the tournament. Mbappé had criticised a Paraguayan senator over social media comments targeting his origins, appearance and background after France's victory over Paraguay in the Round of 16. The incident highlighted ongoing concerns over racism and discrimination in international football despite repeated campaigns promoting equality and inclusion.

France and Spain are set to face each other in one of the most anticipated semifinals of the FIFA World Cup 2026. However, the build-up to the fixture has been overshadowed by the political controversy surrounding Rajoy's comments, shifting attention away from the sporting contest. Football authorities and political leaders on both sides have reiterated the importance of respecting diversity and ensuring that the game remains a platform for inclusion rather than division.

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