​Former Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy faced swift backlash after suggesting that France’s men’s national soccer team “does not have any French players” ahead of Tuesday’s World Cup semifinal between the two nations. Writing for El Debate, the conservative former leader lauded France’s form before making the remark about what he characterized as an ethnically diverse roster. “It’s worth remembering that France has been a two-time world champion and was a finalist in the last World Cup,” Rajoy wrote. “They’ve won every match they’ve played in this World Cup and 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’re playing very well. They’ll be a formidable opponent.”
Spain’s current prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, quickly condemned the comments, as did lawmakers in France. “There are those who still measure belonging by surname, place of birth, or skin colour,” Sánchez wrote in a post on X. “Others measure it by our roots in a country and our will to contribute to it. Playing football. Caring for our elders. Or opening businesses. Spain belongs to those who love it and work for it. Not to those who shame it with xenophobic statements. France, we’ll see you in the semifinals. May the best one win and may racism lose.”
The episode follows a broader international discourse on national identity and inclusion in sport, with political leaders weighing in as athletes prepare for high-stakes competition. Critics argued that Rajoy’s remark reduced players to ethnic labels rather than recognizing the diverse, multinational makeup of many top football squads. Supporters, if any, contended that he was commenting on the team’s composition in a way that highlighted globalization within national teams rather than excluding it. Regardless, the incident has amplified conversations about inclusion, citizenship, and belonging in contemporary football, especially on the eve of a marquee World Cup clash between France and Spain.