Feijóo says Spain would be better if government resembled its football team, drawing Díaz's 'ridiculous' rebuke

Feijóo's rally remarks

On 18 July 2026, at the Cidade da Cultura in Santiago de Compostela, Partido Popular leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo addressed the presentation of the party's candidates for the 52 provincial capitals ahead of the municipal elections scheduled for 21 May 2027. He used the Spanish national football team's upcoming World Cup final against Argentina, set for the following day at MetLife Stadium in New York, to draw a contrast with the government of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. Feijóo said he wanted a government that "resembles the Spanish national football team" and that the country would fare better when "the collective interest is above the interest of one man."

I would like Spain to resemble its national team more, to play as a team again.

He praised the squad for playing "without egos, without putting everything at the service of one person," and called the team an example of camaraderie, improvement, and pride. Feijóo expressed full confidence in coach Luis de la Fuente and the players, describing the coach's values of hard work, humility, and faith as "a lesson for politics."

Accusations against government allies

Feijóo directly criticised parties with "decision-making power" in the government that, he claimed, want Spain to lose the final. He singled out the Galician Nationalist Bloc (BNG), which governs Santiago de Compostela, and referred to them as "partners of ERC and Bildu." He asserted that some mayors from these parties are "wishing for Spain to lose."

Here we all want Spain to win in football and in everything, but don't think everyone can say the same. There are mayors in Spain from parties with decision-making power in the government who are wishing for Spain to lose.

He vowed, "We will beat them, in football and in everything." Feijóo also announced he would watch the final with Madrid mayor José Luis Martínez Almeida, noting that while they support different club teams, on Sunday the entire PP would be behind the national team. "Not all parties can say the same. We are the party of Spain," he said.

Internal party message

Beyond the football metaphor, Feijóo addressed his candidates directly, demanding "decency," "service," and a determination to "go out and win." He urged them to defend Spain's interests, saying the country "needs us more than ever." In a pointed rejection of personalistic leadership, he told the audience he does not want them to agree with him when he is wrong and would be embarrassed if anyone called him "the fucking boss."

I don't want you to tell me I'm right when I'm not. I don't want you to call me the fucking boss, because I would be ashamed if anyone spoke like that.

He also warned that there are men and women who can replace him with equal effectiveness and more brilliance, adding with a competitive edge, "I say 'equal' because you won't surpass me."

Díaz's response

Later that day, former Andalusian president Susana Díaz appeared on laSexta Xplica and dismissed Feijóo's comment as "ridiculous." She argued that it would have been easy to simply say "we are with Spain and we are going to win," and that politics should not be made with the match. Díaz also referenced a phrase by Gabriel Rufián, suggesting that if all independentists became Spanish, the conflict would end.

It seemed ridiculous, Feijóo's comment. How easy it would have been to say we are with Spain and we are going to win. I don't think politics should be made.

The exchange highlights the political tension surrounding the World Cup final, with the opposition using national team unity as a cudgel against the coalition government and its nationalist allies.

The final

Spain faces Argentina at MetLife Stadium in New York on 19 July 2026. Feijóo's remarks have turned the match into a political flashpoint, with the PP leader framing support for the team as a test of national loyalty.