Ex-Spain PM’s ‘no French players’ remark sparks racism row ahead of World Cup clash

By Arjun Nair / 14.07.2026

By Arjun Nair — 13 July 2026 — 3 min read

Former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has drawn significant criticism after asserting that the France national football team lacks “French players.” This statement, published in an opinion piece, has ignited a racism controversy leading up to the World Cup semi-final match between Spain and France.

Rajoy’s comments appeared in a column for the Spanish news website El Debate. He reflected on Spain‘s upcoming semi-final against France, noting France‘s past achievements as a two-time world champion and a finalist in the previous World Cup. He also highlighted their undefeated record in the current tournament and their top ranking in FIFA. Despite acknowledging their strong performance and top-level squad, Rajoy controversially stated, “They don’t have any French players.”

Widespread Condemnation from Political Leaders

The remarks quickly drew widespread condemnation from political figures in both Spain and France, who labeled them as xenophobic and racist. Spain‘s current Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, publicly denounced Rajoy’s statement. Writing on X, Sanchez stated, “There are those who still measure belonging by surname, place of birth, or skin colour. Others measure it by our roots in a country and our will to contribute to it.” He further added that Spain belongs to those who love and work for it, not those who shame it with xenophobic statements.

The backlash in France was equally strong. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez described Rajoy’s comments as “absolutely unacceptable,” emphasizing that such sentiments do not represent France, a country of diversity where everyone can thrive. Minister against Discrimination Aurore Berge condemned what she termed “repeated racist outbursts,” calling for an end to them and advocating for sport to return to being a space where talent is the sole criterion for judgment.

Fabien Roussel, leader of the Communist Party, drew parallels between Rajoy’s comments and previous racist remarks made by a Paraguayan senator concerning Kylian Mbappe. Roussel stated that such individuals “just can’t stop themselves from slinging this disgusting racism.” Similarly, Naïma Moutchou, France‘s Minister for Overseas Territories, observed a recurring pattern, noting that “The same racist obsessions and insults resurface every time [France] wins.” She described these as not mere “slips of the tongue” but a “methodical and normalised hatred of France and what it represents.”

French Identity and Diversity

French leaders consistently stressed that the national team is a representation of the country’s diversity. Olivier Faure, leader of the Socialist Party, affirmed that the French national team is composed solely of French citizens. He articulated that “France is not an ethnic nation; it has no skin colour or religion,” but rather a political nation united by republican principles, much to the dismay of what he called the “racist right.”

The French embassy in Madrid also issued a direct response to Rajoy’s claims. They clarified that all players on the French team are French. The embassy highlighted that out of 26 players, 23 were born in France, and the three players born abroad are also French citizens. This statement aimed to underscore the national identity of the team members despite their diverse origins.

The president of the French Football Federation, Philippe Diallo, also weighed in on the controversy. He criticized Rajoy’s statement, characterizing its underlying tone as “intolerable racism.” The controversy has significantly overshadowed the anticipation for the upcoming World Cup semi-final match. Political leaders from both nations have emphasized that players should be evaluated based on their talent and performance, rather than their background or origin.

Pedro Sanchez concluded his post on X with a wish for the upcoming match, stating, “France, we’ll see you in the semi-finals. May the best team win and may racism lose.”

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com