Former Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy faces growing criticism and racism accusations after writing in a Spanish newspaper column about the France men’s World Cup squad. Multiple outlets report that Rajoy said the France team “does not have any French players” and described France as “without Frenchmen,” while discussing Spain’s upcoming semi-final against France. Critics say the wording implies the French squad’s players are not legitimately French, and several commentators connected the remark to players’ ethnic backgrounds.
According to reports, political figures in both Spain and France rebuked Rajoy’s comments. In France, politicians from different sides condemned the statement as racist or insulting to the French national team. In Spain, Rajoy’s remarks were also condemned by Spain’s governing Socialist Workers’ Party, which said it was shameful for a former head of government to make such comments.
Rajoy served as Spain’s prime minister from 2011 to 2018 as a member of Spain’s centre-right Popular Party. The controversy breaks ahead of the France–Spain semi-final at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
