World Cup 2026: Fifa launches investigation into alleged racist abuse of IShowSpeed
FIFA has launched an investigation following allegations that American social media influencer IShowSpeed and a fan engaged in racial abuse during Argentina’s 3-2 win over Cape Verde on Friday.
IShowSpeed, which has 57 million subscribers on YouTube and 53 million followers on TikTok, broadcast the matches live throughout the tournament; FIFA president Gianni Infantino and former Barcelona and AC Milan forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic appeared in some of his broadcasts.
Football’s world governing body said it was made aware of an alleged incident at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on July 3, during which the last 32 matches were played, and “an investigation was immediately launched”.
The 21-year-old player, whose real name is Darren Jason Watkins Jr., is seen in the footage on his YouTube channel, wearing the Cape Verde jersey and facing an Argentinian fan in the stands.
“The Fifa World Cup is a celebration of unity, diversity and respect,” FIFA said in a statement.
“It brings together people, cultures and communities from around the world, and anyone who acts in a way that undermines these values is not welcome in our game.”
The alleged abuse comes just days after French striker Kylian Mbappe was labeled a “despicable” and unworthy senator after he made a series of racist comments mocking the origins and education of a Paraguayan senator.
Celeste Amarilla of the Paraguayan Liberal Radical Party published her comments about X after her country lost to France in the last 16 rounds of the World Cup.
The French football federation (FFF) announced plans to file criminal charges, calling Amarilla’s remarks “completely disgusting and unacceptable”.
