Rajoy’s statement about France’s team sparks cross-party criticism

Paris – 12 July 2026: A column by former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has sparked cross-party outrage in France. Ahead of the Football World Cup semi-final between France and Spain on 14 July 2026, Rajoy wrote that France had a high-quality squad, but no French players. The statement is viewed as racist in both countries because it calls into question the nationality of French players on the basis of their origin or appearance.

Rajoy, who governed Spain from December 2011 to June 2018 and belongs to the conservative Partido Popular, published his article in the Spanish outlet El Debate on 10 July 2026. In it, he commented on Spain’s advance to the semi-finals while also describing France as a particularly strong opponent. His remark echoes a debate that has recurred for decades over national belonging, migration and the visibility of players with family roots outside Europe.

The leader of the Parti socialiste, Olivier Faure, contradicted Rajoy, pointing out that the French selection consists exclusively of French nationals. France does not see itself as an ethnically defined nation, but as a political community founded on republican principles. Communist Party leader Fabien Roussel described the comments as blatant racism. Representatives from different political camps thus responded to an incident that once again links sport to conflicts over identity and belonging.

Government members also joined the criticism. Overseas Minister Naima Moutchou described the statement as part of recurring racist attacks on the national team and suggested that the French Football Federation take legal action. Aurore Berge, the minister responsible for combating discrimination, called for sporting achievement to be put back at the centre of attention. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez described Rajoy’s remark as unacceptable in a television appearance.

The French Embassy in Madrid clarified the matter with specific figures: all 26 players in the squad hold French citizenship; 23 were born in France and three abroad. This finding points to the legal core of the controversy. Eligibility for international football is based on nationality and the rules of the world governing body, not on ethnic descent, skin colour or the origin of players’ parents.

Rajoy’s article also did not go unchallenged in Spain. Transport Minister Oscar Puente sharply criticised the former head of government and condemned his political and rhetorical escalation. The controversy therefore takes on significance beyond football: it concerns how both European societies deal with plural national identities. The semi-final on 14 July 2026 has not yet been decided on the pitch; the political debate over Rajoy’s statements, however, has already drawn a clear line.