13 July 2026

Former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has faced strong criticism after making remarks suggesting that the France national football team “does not have any French players.” This marks the second instance during this year’s FIFA World Cup in which Les Bleus or one of their players have been the target of racially charged comments.

Following France’s victory over Paraguay in the round of 32, Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla referred to Kylian Mbappé as a “colonised Cameroonian desperately trying to pass himself off as French.” The French Football Federation (FFF) condemned the remarks, calling them “utterly abhorrent and unacceptable.” The United Nations Human Rights Office also criticised the comments, while the Paraguayan government distanced itself from Amarilla’s statement. Meanwhile, French authorities have opened an official investigation into the matter.

Philippe Diallo, President of the French Football Federation, described Amarilla’s comments as “criminal and reprehensible.” He has now addressed Rajoy’s recent statements, which appeared in a column published in El Debate ahead of Tuesday’s semi-final clash between Spain’s La Roja and France’s Les Bleus. Rajoy, who served as Spain’s Prime Minister from 2011 to 2018, wrote: “They are currently ranked No.1 in the FIFA rankings. They also have a top-level squad. That said, they don’t have any French players, and they are playing very well.”

Responding on social media, Diallo stated: “Mariano Rajoy’s comments concerning the France national team carry tones of intolerable racism and raise questions about the detestable climate that gives rise to such foul odours. Our players certainly don’t need to receive any nationality certificate from the Spanish Prime Minister. The France national team is the France national team.”

Several prominent French politicians have also spoken out against Rajoy’s remarks. France’s Interior Minister, Laurent Nunez, described the former Prime Minister’s statements as “completely unacceptable.”