Fireworks at 2026 FIFA World Cup closing ceremony were white, not blue
- Published on July 30, 2026 at 13:42
- 2 min read
- By Livia LIU, Mike YAMBO, AFP Hong Kong, AFP Kenya
After Spain defeated Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, social media users fuelled speculation about alleged FIFA favouritism with a video that appeared to show blue fireworks set off at the end of the tournament, and that it was proof that the body had only prepared for the South Americans' victory. AFP photos and footage from media outlets all show that the fireworks were white, not blue.
"Take a look at this picture. This was the fireworks used to celebrate Spain's victory yesterday. Which country's colour does it represent? Spain or Argentina," reads in part a caption on a post from a Nigerian sports update Facebook page shared on July 21.
"I told you people that FIFA scripted thus world cup fir Argentina to win it but was a very astute, disciplined and calm to ensure that Argentina didn't have an opportunity to act the script (sic)," it adds. "All these shenanigans was to ensure Messi wins a back to back World Cup and golden ball."
The claim feeds into the conspiracy theory that FIFA has repeatedly displayed favouritism toward the Argentine team and skipper Lionel Messi (archived here and here). FIFA's refereeing chief previously responded that these were "unfounded allegations" (archived here).
Similar claims were shared elsewhere across Africa on Facebook here and here, as well as on X.
The claim also spread in multiple languages including Japanese, French and Arabic, and on other platforms such as Weibo, Threads and Xiaohongshu in Chinese.
Spain beat Argentina 1-0 on July 19, with Ferran Torres scoring the only goal of the game in extra time (archived here). After the match and the trophy presentation, a fireworks display began, launched from the top of the New York New Jersey Stadium.
However, the fireworks were white, as seen in an AFP photo of the trophy ceremony after the match.
A reverse image search with keyframes of the video also led to footage published by German broadcaster Magenta TV that shows the fireworks from a similar angle, displaying white smoke instead of blue (archived here).
Footage from Sports TV -- a YouTube channel managed by Pakistani digital content distributor Dot Republic Media -- captured from the outside of the stadium also shows that the fireworks were white (archived here).
During the final match, various colours of fireworks were displayed: the colours of the rainbow were shown in the halftime show, and before the game began, the flags of Spain and Argentina appeared with pyrotechnics, but on the field of play and not above the stadium.
AFP has reached out to FIFA but no immediate response is forthcoming.
AFP has debunked other misinformation related to the 2026 World Cup.
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