Argentina national team has issued a stern warning to its fans to refrain from using offensive or discriminatory chants during their upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Chile on September 6.
The team’s plea comes in light of recent incidents involving anti-gay and racist chants that have led to investigations and potential sanctions from FIFA.
In a social media pre-match message, the team stated that any discriminatory chants of the first match against Chile at the Estadio Mâs Monumental may lead to a reduction of the team’s capacity for the World Cup qualifier match against Bolivia on October 15 in Buenos Aires.
https://x.com/Argentina/status/1830988357024755911
This message comes after the scandal associated with the video of Enzo Fernández, which showed the team chanting a racially insensitive slogan against French players of African descent following the triumph over Colombia in the Copa América final.
The incident sparked widespread condemnation, with Chelsea and FIFA launching investigations and the French Football Federation threatening legal action. Despite the backlash, the video inspired Argentina fans to repeat the offensive chant at various football matches across the country, including before the 2022 World Cup final against France.
Argentina is now urging its fans to support the team without resorting to offensive language. “Support without discriminating, insulting doesn’t help. It harms,” the team stated in a video.
The plea comes as Argentina sits atop the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying standings with 15 points from six games. Their upcoming matches against Chile and Colombia will be crucial in their quest to secure a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
