FIFA has announced that nearly 400,000 abusive messages have been removed from social media during the 2026 World Cup, as part of its ongoing efforts to combat online hate speech around the tournament.
The figure surpasses the total number of abusive posts removed during the entire 2022 World Cup in Qatar, highlighting what FIFA describes as a growing challenge linked to the expanded format and global reach of the competition.
Automated monitoring system in action
The removals are being carried out through FIFA’s social media protection service, which monitors public accounts of players and automatically hides or deletes offensive content before it becomes widely visible.
Since the system was introduced in 2022, more than 30 million abusive posts have reportedly been detected and removed across FIFA-related digital platforms.
Anti-hate campaign launched during matchday actions
As part of a broader awareness campaign, eight national teams participated in activities marking the International Day for Countering Hate Speech.
Captains from Czechia, South Africa, Mexico, South Korea, Switzerland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada and Qatar exchanged ceremonial pennants featuring the message “We play together. We fight hate,” displayed in English and in each team’s native language.
Stadium-based activations were also carried out throughout the day to reinforce the anti-hate message among fans in attendance.
Growing digital pressure on players and teams
FIFA attributes the rise in abusive content to several factors, including the expanded 48-team format and 104-match schedule, which increases global engagement across multiple time zones.
The organization also points to the growing English-speaking online audience across host countries, noting that English remains the most widely used language on global social media platforms, contributing to wider exposure of toxic content.
According to FIFA, the combination of increased visibility and constant match scheduling has created a continuous cycle of online interaction, requiring more intensive moderation efforts throughout the tournament.
Despite these challenges, FIFA says its objective is to ensure a safer digital environment for players, teams and fans during the world’s biggest football event.