FIFA has opened an investigation into allegations that popular streamer iShowSpeed was subjected to racial abuse during Argentina's FIFA World Cup matches. The organization strongly condemned the incidents, stating that racism and discrimination have no place in football or society.
Alleged Incidents at World Cup Matches
iShowSpeed, whose real name is Darren Watkins Jr., was livestreaming during Argentina's Round of 32 match against Cabo Verde in Miami on July 3, 2026, when fans allegedly directed a racial slur at him and told him in Spanish to 'go cry at the zoo.' A video shared on X by user @imVidol captured the moment, showing an Argentinian fan shouting a racist epithet and telling Speed to go home.
During Argentina's subsequent match against Egypt in Atlanta on July 7, Speed again faced what appeared to be hostile gestures and comments from fans while livestreaming. However, a user on X claiming to be the fan involved defended his actions, stating he was imitating Speed's behavior and not being racist. The user wrote, 'I wasn't being racist, I was imitating Speed himself... To top it off, if it had been racist then tough luck for him, he's in ALL the matches busting balls against Argentina.'
FIFA's Response and Investigation
FIFA announced on July 7 via its official X account that it had been made aware of the incident at Miami Stadium and immediately initiated an investigation. The organization stated, 'FIFA strongly condemns racism, hate and discrimination in all forms. These actions have no place in football, at the FIFA World Cup, or anywhere in society.' FIFA emphasized that the World Cup is a celebration of unity, diversity, and respect, and that anyone undermining these values is not welcome in the game.
Who is iShowSpeed?
iShowSpeed is a 21-year-old American streamer and self-proclaimed superfan of Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo. He has been attending World Cup matches under a deal with FIFA, Fox, and YouTube, often livestreaming his experiences. Speed boasts over 150 million followers across social media platforms, including 57 million subscribers on YouTube, 50 million on Instagram, 47 million on TikTok, and 4.1 million on X. His presence at Argentina matches has been marked by attempts to antagonize Lionel Messi, Ronaldo's rival, which may have contributed to tensions with fans.
Broader Context
The incidents come amid heightened emotions at the World Cup, with Argentina's matches drawing large crowds and passionate support. The investigation by FIFA aims to address the allegations and uphold the tournament's values of inclusivity and respect. As of now, no further details on the investigation's timeline or potential sanctions have been released.
