Former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy faced accusations of racism after claiming the French men’s World Cup team does not have any French players [1].
The comments have overshadowed the sporting preparations for the France-Spain semifinal, turning a high-stakes match into a diplomatic and social row regarding national identity and multiculturalism.
Rajoy made the remarks on July 13, 2026 [2], the same day as the semifinal match at the Stade de France in Paris [3]. In a column and subsequent media coverage, Rajoy said that France "does not have any French players" [1] or is "playing without Frenchmen" [1]. The remarks were intended as a political jab at the multicultural composition of the French squad.
The reaction from players and officials was immediate. Spanish national team forward Álvaro Morata criticized the former leader, saying, "We are a team made up of French people, and your comment is offensive and racist" [4].
French officials also condemned the language. A spokesperson for the French Football Federation said, "This kind of language has no place in sport or politics" [5].
The controversy dominated media coverage leading up to the match, which was one of two semifinal games [2]. The incident highlighted tensions surrounding the integration of players from immigrant backgrounds into European national identities—a recurring theme in European football and politics.
Rajoy, a conservative figure, has not issued a formal apology for the remarks as of the match date. The focus remained on the clash in Paris, where the political friction threatened to eclipse the athletic competition [3].
“"France does not have any French players."”
This incident underscores the ongoing tension between traditional nationalist definitions of identity and the multicultural reality of modern European states. By questioning the 'Frenchness' of the national team, Rajoy tapped into a sensitive political nerve regarding how citizenship and ethnicity are viewed in France, potentially fueling xenophobic narratives during a global sporting event.
