2026 World Cup: Mikel Obi Dismisses Claims of FIFA Favouring Messi

Former Super Eagles captain, John Mikel Obi, has dismissed claims that FIFA is favouring Lionel Messi and Argentina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting such allegations are being driven by supporters of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Mikel Obi made the remarks on The Rest Is Football podcast while discussing Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final between Argentina and England alongside former Chelsea teammate Joe Cole.

During the discussion, Cole suggested that “the whole world wants Messi in the final” and hinted that Argentina could rely on gamesmanship to overcome England.

Responding, Mikel Obi rejected the suggestion, arguing that Argentina earned a favourable route in the knockout stage by winning their group rather than receiving preferential treatment.

According to the former midfielder, the world champions deserved their position because they handled the group stage effectively.

“They won their games, which they should have done. They would not play tougher teams because Argentina did their job, they won their games and got into the easier group,” Mikel Obi said.

He insisted that suggestions of FIFA manipulating the tournament in Messi’s favour lacked evidence.

“So this is all Ronaldo fans. I don’t like that. FIFA are not favouring Messi,” he added.

The comments come ahead of the highly anticipated semi-final clash between Argentina and England, with Messi hoping to lead the defending champions into a second consecutive World Cup final.

Argentina, who won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, have reached the last four after overcoming Egypt in the quarter-finals, while England booked their place by defeating Morocco.

Messi has been one of the standout performers at the tournament, scoring eight goals and providing two assists to keep Argentina’s title defence on course.

Victory over England would send the South American champions into the final, where they would face Spain, who defeated France 2-0 in the other semi-final.

The debate over whether Messi receives favourable treatment has remained a recurring topic among football supporters, particularly amid comparisons with long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

Mikel Obi, however, maintained that Argentina’s progress at the tournament has been determined by performances on the pitch rather than any external influence.