Concern over rise in online racist abuse at World Cup

The Word Cup has suffered a 'significant increase' in the most serious examples of racist abuse online, Fifa's social media protection service (SMPS) has found.

A total of 89,000 abusive posts were identified across the group stage of the 2026 tournament.

It marks a 13-fold increase compared to 2022 when 6,700 abusive comments were identified, although 48 matches were played in Qatar rather than 72.

Racism represented 11% of all online abuse.

The SMPS said this was a 3% rise on four years ago, and added there was a significant increase in the objectively worst, most offensive material.

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