FIFA Deletes More Than Seven Million Abusive Posts During World Cup

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, July 19, 2026

FIFA removed more than seven million potentially abusive social media posts during the 2026 World Cup, a fourteenfold increase from the 2022 tournament. The organization also flagged over 200,000 insulting messages and referred more than 1,000 severe threats to authorities, highlighting intensified efforts to combat online harassment in the event.

FIFA reported the removal of over seven million potentially abusive posts and comments on social media during the 2026 World Cup, which concludes Sunday. This figure represents more than a fourteenfold increase compared to the 2022 tournament held in Qatar.

Since the last World Cup, FIFA has implemented a dedicated protection service aimed at combating online abuse directed at players, coaches, teams, and officials. The organization stated that it has flagged more than 200,000 messages deemed insulting or intimidating, with appropriate actions taken in response.

In addition to these removals, over 1,000 particularly severe threats have been escalated to relevant authorities for further investigation. FIFA’s efforts reflect a heightened focus on addressing online harassment throughout the event, emphasizing the growing challenges of managing digital conduct in global sporting competitions.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.