More than 80,700 sign petition demanding World Cup final replay

Published on 23/07/2026 - 15:46 GMT+2

Argentina's defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium sparked a wave of protests that has shown no signs of slowing down since the final whistle.

Supporter Gisela Sánchez launched a petition on Change.org calling on football world governing body FIFA to order a replay of the match, which Spain won following a Ferran Torres goal in extra time. At the time of writing, the petition has already attracted more than 80,739 signatures.

The petition alleges Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić gave a "controversial and corrupt" performance and calls on FIFA to review several of his decisions during the match.

However, the organiser provides no verifiable evidence to support the accusations, beyond videos circulating on social media that she says highlight decisions that went in Spain's favour.

FIFA's rules are clear: a match can only be replayed in exceptional circumstances, such as in the event of a serious breach of the competition's regulations. For example, if an ineligible player takes part, or if FIFA's governing bodies intervene before the result is officially confirmed.

An online petition has no legal or sporting authority to overturn the result.

Such complaints are nevertheless not uncommon.

In 2022, after Argentina lifted the World Cup themselves in Qatar, more than 200,000 French supporters signed a similar petition calling for the final to be replayed, unhappy with the refereeing of Polish official Szymon Marciniak.

The response from Argentina at the time was to tell them to "stop crying."

There are some genuine precedents for replaying a match. One example came in 2006, when a World Cup qualifier between Uzbekistan and Bahrain had to be replayed because of a technical error by the referee, not simply because people disagreed with the decisions made on the pitch.

Argentina's antics prompt investigation

FIFA has opened a disciplinary investigation against Argentina over its players' behaviour following the final whistle in Sunday's final.

The governing body has appointed a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to look into a number of incidents between players from both teams.

Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes is said to be the focus of the investigation, after video footage showed him grabbing Eric García by the neck and shoving Gavi during Spain's celebrations.

FIFA is also reviewing the behaviour of Nahuel Molina, who is alleged to have struck Rodri, and the possible involvement of Roberto Ayala, Lionel Scaloni's assistant coach, in a shove on Dani Olmo.

The investigation also extends to the trophy presentation, where several Argentine players reportedly turned their backs as Spain lifted the World Cup, as well as an earlier incident from Argentina's semifinal victory over Thomas Tuchel's England. After defeating England, Argentina displayed a banner asserting Argentine sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, a British overseas territory, an act that had already resulted in a fine for the Argentine Football Association.

Scaloni sought to ease tensions at the post-match press conference.

"We are gracious in victory, and we must be so in defeat as well," he said.

FIFA, however, has decided to press ahead with the case and will give details once the report is complete.