Is FIFA really biased towards Argentina? Football fans debate!

Argentina have barely put a foot wrong in recent years, winning major trophies and producing performances that have only strengthened their reputation as one of football's best teams. But alongside the celebrations, another conversation refuses to go away. Every penalty, tight offside call, and refereeing decision involving Argentina seems to restart the same debate across social media: does FIFA favour the reigning champions?

Some believe Argentina have received more than their fair share of favourable decisions, while others dismiss the idea as nothing more than frustration from rival supporters. With the debate showing no signs of fading, we asked football fans whether they think FIFA is biased towards Argentina or if the accusations are simply part of football's endless conspiracy theories.

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“Ever since the last world cup, I think it is quite obvious that Argentina is being favoured by FIFA and Infantino, today’s match against Egypt was another example, they want to save their poster boy Messi.” – Tahian Ahmed, 26, diehard brazil supporter and accounting teacher.

“Referees do make mistakes sometimes, but every time it happens in an Argentina match, people talk about biasness, other matches also have wrong decisions but nobody talks about them. Messi is the most famous player in the world and it is natural that he will attract such criticism whenever he wins.” – Adiba Anisha Chowdhury, 24, seasonal fan, long time Messi fan and business graduate.

"I think the refereeing was inconsistent. Argentina kept getting very soft penalty calls that probably wouldn't have been given to other teams. That's why people think FIFA wanted Messi to win for commercial reasons." – Afif Rahim, 24, diehard Germany fan and engineer.

“I don't think an organisation like FIFA would risk its credibility just to keep Argentina in the tournament. Even if a big team is eliminated, FIFA has the resources and marketing power to minimise any commercial losses.” – Sauda Rahman, 35, Argentina fan and university faculty.

“FIFA is clearly biased and it is not even a question now, they have proved it again and again that they prefer Messi.” – MD. Farhan Hoque, 26, neutral fan and business teacher.

“Everyone is mostly outraged because Argentina won the last world cup, if they didn’t people would not care that much, the fact that Brazil and Portugal are already out is a big reason that this question is being asked again.” – Kazi Anika Binte, 24, seasonal football fan and marketing professional.