Argentina vs. England: Conspiracy Theories Surround the Classic Match

Conspiracy theories are swirling around the Argentina vs. England match, suggesting that FIFA President Gianni Infantino might be orchestrating a win for Argentina. The narrative, dubbed "Infantina: Half Infantino, Half Argentina," claims Infantino will ensure Argentina's victory to help Messi bid farewell to the World Cup with another trophy.

This alleged influence, according to the theories, extends to the final match. A South American victory would serve Infantino's interests by curbing Europe's growing dissatisfaction with his decisions and potentially hindering Europe's challenge to his re-election next year. It would also support the increasingly firm South American project to expand the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams. Furthermore, a win for Argentina would allegedly shield AFA President Claudio "Chiqui" Tapia from judicial investigations and political pressures.

The theories suggest that if these geopolitical maneuvers are at play, Argentina, led by Messi, would paradoxically wield more influence than the powerful England, the birthplace of football and current powerhouse with its lucrative Premier League. The narrative points to refereeing decisions that have benefited Argentina, such as the disallowed Egyptian goal and the expulsion of Breel Embolo, as evidence of favoritism, even if technically within the rules.

Conversely, controversial calls that favor other teams are dismissed as simple errors. This selective interpretation fuels the idea of England facing an "empire" called Argentina, which is also painted as racist and narcissistic. The article notes the emergence of the term "Argentinaphobia" to describe this sentiment, where any perceived advantage for Argentina is viewed with suspicion, while similar situations for other teams are overlooked. The narrative even includes accusations of Qatar's influence, referencing five penalties awarded to Argentina in seven matches, and suggests that Donald Trump's intervention to lift a suspension on a star player further validates these suspicions.