Emerging
Jun 18, 20261
59%
FIFA Faces More Online Hate During 2026 World Cup Than in 2022
FIFA says online hate comments connected to the 2026 World Cup have already outnumbered those seen across the entire 2022 tournament. The organization says it needs to delete every 10th offensive post, while Ghana’s opening-match win over Panama added to the tournament’s early action.
Quick Facts
Who
FIFA
What
identified more online hate comments than during the entire 2022 World Cup
When
during the 2026 World Cup
Where
United States
- identified more online hate comments than during the entire 2022 World Cup
- said it must delete every 10th offensive post
- reported Ghana defeated Panama in an opening match
- FIFA
- Ghana
FIFA says it has already identified more online hate comments linked to the 2026 World Cup than it saw during the entire 2022 tournament. The issue has emerged as the competition gets under way in the United States, Canada and Mexico, prompting renewed attention on moderation of abusive posts during major sporting events.
According to the report, FIFA has said it must delete every 10th offensive post in an effort to curb hateful content and make the online environment safer for fans. The scale of the problem appears to have increased quickly at the start of the tournament, underscoring the pressure on platforms and organizers to police social media activity.
Why This Matters
This report highlights that despite improved moderation efforts, online hate speech is escalating rapidly during major sporting events, placing greater pressure on FIFA, social media platforms, and law enforcement to protect fans and players. The finding that hate comments already exceed the 2022 total suggests that current safeguards are insufficient, potentially affecting sponsorship, viewer experience, and regulatory accountability.
Timeline & Sources
Jun 18, 2026
WireThe report noted Ghana defeated Panama in an opening match at the 2026 World Cup.
Jun 18, 2026
WireRP Online published a report saying FIFA had already found more hate posts than during the whole 2022 World Cup.