After Argentina lost the 2026 FIFA World Cup final to Spain, social media has been flooded with discussions, with some Albiceleste fans claiming there may have been unusual circumstances before and during the match.
Among the issues raised by these fans was the absence of coach Diego Simeone from the stadium during the final, despite reportedly attending almost all of Argentina's matches throughout the tournament. They also expressed surprise that Lionel Messi's family was not present at the final.
Some fans questioned Argentina's performance on the pitch, saying the team appeared to lose possession too easily after regaining the ball, unlike the style they had become accustomed to seeing in recent years. Others criticized coach Lionel Scaloni's tactical decisions, particularly his substitutions.
Another major talking point was the decision not to play striker Lautaro Martínez at all. Martínez had been Argentina's hero in the semifinal after scoring the winning goal against England, yet he did not play a single minute in the final, even after Spain had taken a 1–0 lead.
In addition, some supporters discussed the red card shown to Enzo Fernández after receiving two yellow cards, arguing that both bookings could have been avoided. They also noted that Argentina's president, who had been expected to attend the final, was absent.
The debate continued after the match, with some fans pointing to defender Cristian Romero's decision not to shake hands with U.S. President Donald Trump during the post-match ceremony.
However, no official evidence has been presented to support claims that these incidents were connected or that there were any irregularities that affected the outcome of the final. For now, these remain opinions and theories shared by some fans on social media, without confirmation from FIFA or any other relevant authorities.
