Racist abuse surges at 2026 World Cup: Swiss and Dutch players targeted, FIFA reports 11% of insulting posts are racist
FIFA says racist comments now make up 11% of abusive online posts during the tournament, a three-point rise from 2022. Switzerland's FA disabled comments after its opening draw, and Dutch players blocked their accounts following a penalty shootout loss.
A tournament shadowed by hate
Racist abuse aimed at players has become a daily occurrence at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with FIFA reporting that 11 percent of all insulting online posts are now racist in nature. That marks a three-percentage-point increase compared to the same stage of the 2022 tournament in Qatar. The spike is closely tied to match results, with defeats and disappointing draws triggering waves of discriminatory messages.
Switzerland reacts after Qatar draw
The Swiss Football Association (SFV) was forced to disable comment functions on its social media channels after the team's opening 1-1 draw against Qatar.
The SFV now proactively blocks comment sections when it anticipates a surge of hateful posts, and forwards any messages that meet the legal threshold for racist hate speech to criminal prosecutors.Notably because some of the comments targeted the skin colour or origins of the players.
FIFA data and the smartphone effect
FIFA has already flagged around 1,000 accounts for abusive behaviour. Arnold noted that the sheer volume of hate has grown sharply compared to earlier tournaments, attributing the change to the ease of posting from a mobile phone.
The SFV does not keep its own statistics on the number of racist comments, but confirms the trend is unmistakable.Instead of having to find letter paper or open their laptop, people now have their phone immediately to hand. Barriers have practically disappeared.
Dutch players targeted after shootout loss
Switzerland is not alone. After the Netherlands lost a penalty shootout, players Justin Kluivert, Quinten Timber and Crysencio Summerville were subjected to racist comments and locked their comment sections. The Dutch football association condemned the attacks and filed a criminal complaint.
A diverse Swiss squad shines
Ironically, the players most often targeted are the ones driving Switzerland's strong World Cup campaign. Granit Xhaka, whose parents came from Kosovo, anchors the midfield. Breel Embolo was born in Yaoundé, Cameroon. And 20-year-old Johan Manzambi, whose parents are from Congo and Angola, has set multiple records: with three goals and two assists, he is the youngest player since 1966 to record five direct goal involvements at a World Cup, and he became the youngest substitute to score a brace in the group stage.
- 2022 World Cup
- 8 %
- 2026 World Cup
- 11 %
