Rabat – FIFA has reversed its controversial language policy for the 2026 FIFA World Cup press conferences, after several awkward exchanges involving players, including Morocco’s captain Achraf Hakimi, Brazil star Vinicius Jr., and Netherlands midfielder Frenkie De Jong, sparked online criticism.
This situation emerged during the opening days of the tournament, when journalists were allegedly informed that questions should be asked in English or in the official languages of the teams involved – a decision many found surprising given that Mexico, one of the three host nations alongside the United States and Canada, is Spanish-speaking.
One of the most widely shared incidents involved Hakimi ahead of Morocco’s clash against Brazil. The Moroccan defender, who speaks Spanish comfortably, appeared willing to engage with Spanish-language questions from a Mexican reporter before the exchange was redirected back to English due to the lack of interpretation services.
The moment quickly circulated online, with fans commending Hakimi’s multilingualism while criticizing FIFA’s restrictions.
“This dude is ultra cultured, speaks four languages: Arabic, Spanish, French, English and all perfect,” one user wrote on X.
Another fan questioned the logic behind the policy altogether, writing: “What a weird idea not to allow questions in the language of one of the hosting countries.”
A similar scene unfolded with Vinicius Jr., who, in turn, encouraged a journalist to continue speaking Spanish during a press conference before a FIFA official intervened. Dutch midfielder Frenkie De Jong was also linked to the growing debate.
The backlash eventually pushed FIFA to revise its approach. According to the AFP, as cited by El Mundo, Spanish interpretation has now been added to official World Cup press conference services, a move widely viewed as a response to mounting criticism from journalists and supporters alike.
What started as a logistical issue quickly evolved into a broader conversation about representation and language accessibility at football’s biggest tournament.
