Argentina’s World Cup exit sparks surge in ‘conspiracy’ theories online

Spain’s World Cup triumph has been followed in Argentina by a wave of increasingly elaborate conspiracy theories, fuelled largely by content creators chasing views and engagement rather than by mainstream media.

While traditional newspapers and broadcasters have not embraced these narratives, large numbers of supporters have. Tens of thousands of highly partisan fans have turned to supernatural or hidden explanations for what was, in footballing terms, a defeat to a stronger opponent.

A phrase has come to encapsulate this mood. The words “حدث شيء ما” (“something happened”) spread rapidly across social networks after Lionel Messi’s motivational speech to his team was widely shared, and were seized on as supposed proof that forces beyond football had shaped the tournament.

The atmosphere became so intense that Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni, World Cup winner and national hero Mario Kempes, and even the Argentine Football Association felt compelled to step in. Each sought to calm the situation and push back against unfounded claims that the competition was rigged against the defending champions.

One of the latest talking points centres on Pau Cubarsi’s late effort against Argentina, with some insisting the ball had in fact crossed Unai Simon’s goal-line. That moment has become a fresh rallying point for those convinced that officials or organisers intervened to deny Argentina.

Spanish newspaper Marca has compiled 13 of the most widely shared theories currently circulating in Argentina, all used by their proponents to argue that a concerted plot targeted the world champions. The list ranges from alleged refereeing bias to suggestions of manipulation by football authorities and broadcasters.

Supporters sharing these ideas claim that controversial decisions, tournament scheduling and commercial interests were aligned to favour Argentina’s rivals and, ultimately, Spain’s path to the trophy. They link individual incidents on the pitch to a broader narrative of supposed injustice.

According to the compilation, some fans have gone as far as questioning the integrity of goal-line technology and video assistant referee interventions, presenting routine officiating calls as part of a larger scheme. Others read hidden meaning into pre-match ceremonies, promotional campaigns and off-field comments by officials.

The popularity of these theories has been amplified by social media algorithms and by influencers who monetise high engagement. Videos and posts that hint at secret plots have drawn substantial audiences, reinforcing the sense among some fans that they are uncovering truths overlooked by traditional outlets.

However, established Argentine journalists and analysts have largely treated the claims as baseless, stressing that Spain’s performances on the pitch justified their World Cup win. They argue that the spread of such content reflects frustration and disappointment rather than any demonstrable evidence of wrongdoing.

Scaloni and Kempes, aware of the impact this discourse can have on public opinion and on the national team’s image, have urged supporters to accept the sporting reality of the defeat. The Argentine Football Association has similarly attempted to redirect the conversation towards analysis of the team’s display and future prospects, rather than rumours of conspiracies.

Despite those interventions, the appeal of the “something happened” narrative remains strong among segments of the fanbase. As long as the clips, screenshots and selective replays continue to generate traffic, the 13 theories highlighted by Marca suggest Argentina’s obsession with an alleged plot against the “Albiceleste” is unlikely to fade quickly.