Fact-check: World Cup misinformation targets Messi with recycled Egyptian protest chant
Investigation reveals audio is a 2013-era chant against President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, while footage originates from a 2020 friendly match in the Netherlands.
A viral video circulating on social media has falsely alleged that Algerian football fans chanted against Lionel Messi ahead of Argentina’s 2026 World Cup opening match against Algeria in Kansas City. The clip, which has been viewed millions of times, claims supporters were targeting the Argentine captain with aggressive rhetoric. However, fact-checking by FRANCE 24 confirms the audio is an old Egyptian political protest chant, and the footage was recorded in the Netherlands six years prior to the tournament.
The misinformation appears to exploit the phonetic similarity between the name "Messi" and "Sisi," referring to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. The original Arabic lyrics translate as: "There is no God but Allah, Mohammed is his messenger, Sisi is the enemy of God." The chant is widely known across the Arab world as an anti-oppression slogan that emerged following the 2013 military coup that ousted former president Mohammed Morsi. There is no mention of Lionel Messi, Argentina, or any threat to annihilate the South American nation in the original audio.
Further investigation by FRANCE 24 Observers determined that the video is a misleading montage combining unrelated audio and visual elements. The audio track matches a protest in Algeria that was uploaded to YouTube six years before the 2026 World Cup, demonstrating the chant's long-standing use across the region rather than any new coordination among fans.
The visual component of the viral clip was also misattributed. While online posts claimed the footage showed fans before the World Cup match in Kansas City, geolocation evidence places the scene in Rotterdam, Netherlands. At the 12-second mark of the video, retail stores Zara and H&M are visible in the background, allowing investigators to identify the location. The footage was recorded on 3 June 2020, during a friendly match between Algeria and the Netherlands, not during the World Cup and not in the presence of Argentina.
The hoax was amplified by French far-right politician Jean Messiha, who shared the video on social media. The misinformation campaign coincides with significant on-pitch developments for Argentina. Messi recently scored a hat-trick against Algeria in their opening match and subsequently broke the all-time World Cup scoring record with 17 goals during a 2-0 victory over Austria in Texas.
Neither the footage nor the audio is connected to Lionel Messi or the Argentine national team. Instead, an old political chant and unrelated fan footage were stitched together to create a misleading narrative targeting the Argentine captain and Algerian supporters. The incident highlights the use of recycled political symbols to generate controversy around high-profile sporting events.
