5 times World Cup fans made the news for all the wrong reasons
Sports fans go viral for all sorts of reasons: kiss cam appearances, catching a home run ball or freaking out when they spot a celebrity at a game. However, there are instances where fans go viral for wrong reasons. From taunting opposing fans to pitch invaders, here are five times World Cup fans made the news for the wrong reasons.
@goalglobal Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal have failed to make it past the round of 16 against Spain #football #worldcup #fifaworldcup #soccer ♬ original sound – GOAL
Moroccan fan during the 2022 World Cup
The 2022 World Cup saw Morocco becoming the first African country to reach the World Cup semifinal stage, beating out giants like Belgium, Spain and Portugal. However, it was Morocco’s win against Portugal that paved the way for the notorious fame of a young Moroccan fan.
Gloating over Portugal’s loss, this Moroccan fan was seen taunting Portugal fans, pointing at where the “Portugal airport” was and joking about how the country’s leading man, Cristiano Ronaldo, was largely absent throughout the game. The video went viral, with many Ronaldo fans calling out the young fan’s poor sportsmanship, while others noted the bravery the young fan had to taunt Ronaldo fans worldwide.
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Racist fan toward Twitch streamer
During the Cape Verde game against Argentina, Twitch streamer IShowSpeed, also known as Darren Watkins Jr., faced a racist incident with an Argentine fan. All caught on a livestream, Watkins was asking what the fan, who was wearing an Argentinian jersey, was saying to Watkins. The fan told Watkins, who is black, to “go cry to the zoo,” in Spanish.
The incident comes after World Cup fans turned their backs on Argentina, who were recently the World Cup darlings four years ago. “FIFA strongly condemns racism, hate and discrimination in all forms. These actions have no place in football, at the FIFA World Cup, or anywhere in society,” FIFA said in a statement.
Pitch invaders take over the World Cup
During the Round of 32 game between Senegal and Belgium, multiple invaders made their way to the pitch in the 31st minute of the game. While one of the invaders was taken down within seconds, the other stayed on the pitch for an impressive 40 seconds. The pitch invaders wore shirts advertising different brands, including a controversial online betting platform that has been banned in multiple countries.
Other pitch invaders could be seen on the pitch as well, including one wearing a shirt reading “Asians can too!” with the username @iamjustinho. While pitch invaders and streakers have long been discouraged, you can’t help but be impressed by dodging security guards for a whopping 40 seconds.
@bleacherreport Mexican fans trying to give their team an advantage (Via @Zaritzi Sosa, @ecz23) #futbol #fifaworldcup #soccer #mexico #worldcup ♬ original sound – bleacherreport
Home field advantage
What’s the best way to taunt your opponents? Go to your opponents’ hotels and cause a ruckus the night before match day.
Mexico made the most of their home field advantage when their opponents, Ecuador, were competing in their Round of 32 match in Mexico City. Doing anything they can to win the game, Mexican fans made their way to Ecuador’s hotel, blaring music in speakers, playing the drums and honking car horns right in front of Ecuador’s hotel. While soccer players are trained to block outside noise and distraction before the game, you have to feel bad for the rest of the hotel’s guests who were in Mexico City for a vacation.
@telemundodeportes🇯🇵💔 ¡EL DOLOR DE SER ELIMINADO! 🥺 Este aficionado japonés representa a la perfección lo que se siente cuando tu selección se despide de una Copa del Mundo. ⚽😢 🤔 ¿Alguna vez te has sentido así? 👀💙 📺 Disfruta la Copa Mundial de la FIFA 2026 el 11 de junio por Telemundo y Peacock #MundialTelemundo #FIFAWorldCup #Somos26♬ sonido original – Telemundo Deportes
Japan’s loss to Brazil fan reaction
After the Brazil versus Japan Round of 32 match, half of the fans in the Houston Stadium erupted in cheers, while the other half cried in tears. The game between the two teams was going to be an emotional one no matter the outcome — Japan has become a lovable team among fans all over the world in recent years, while Brazil is known throughout the decades for producing soccer stars.
So, when Brazil beat Japan 2-1, there was an overwhelming mix of different emotions throughout the stadium. However, one Japanese fan took his feelings above and beyond for the loss.
In a bird’s-eye view shot, the Japanese fan can be seen making his feelings known by pulling on his jersey in despair. However, the fan seemed to be slightly overreacting to the loss, which makes sense when it looked like the fan was faking it for the camera. While it was all an act, those feelings were real, as many fans were also heartbroken for Japan’s loss.
Wrap Up
The World Cup is known to evoke different emotions. Exhilaration when a player scores a last-minute goal to win the game, heartbreak when a player goes down injured. The World Cup also brings out the worst in some people, leading to infamous viral moments. Whether it’s an overreaction to a loss or pitch invaders, these five instances prove the World Cup can be overwhelming to fans everywhere.
Related:
- World Cup rituals & superstitions from fans around the world
- 11 infamous World Cup moments we still think about
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