World Cup 2026: Petition to ban Argentina nears historic record

A global petition calling for Argentina's permanent exclusion from the World Cup has surged in popularity, collecting more than 23 million signatures. Titled "Argentina Out," the initiative has become a significant online phenomenon, approaching a historical record for online petitions.

The petition was initiated in the aftermath of the World Cup final, which was marked by numerous controversies surrounding the Argentine team. Its text accused FIFA and the referees of showing bias towards Lionel Messi and Argentina, questioning the fairness of the competition when, according to the petitioners, the winner seemed predetermined. The goal was to secure Argentina's definitive removal from the tournament.

With over 23.3 million signatures from 170 countries, the "Argentina Out" petition has become one of the most signed online campaigns in history. It falls just short of the Guinness World Record, which is held by a 1997 campaign against Third World debt that gathered over 24.3 million signatures. The petition's authors concluded their message with a touch of irony, thanking Spain for its performance in the final after FIFA ignored their demands.

This massive mobilization echoes a previous viral petition launched by Argentines after the 2022 World Cup final, which called for France to "stop crying" amidst French criticism. The "Argentina Out" petition, while not acted upon by FIFA, underscores the passionate and often contentious debates that continue to surround the Argentine national team and its World Cup success.