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Behind the defeat of Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final lies a reason: the FBI's search for Claudio 'Chiqui' Tapia in the national team's locker room, or at least that is what Argentine journalist Eduardo Feinmann and conspiracy theories on social media are claiming.
Is it true? Where did these claims arise? According to the controversial journalist, who in previous days had already lashed out against Mexicans and El Tri stating that he detested them, "something happened" in the match, as Lionel Messi and the national team were forced to lose the final against Spain due to police issues and alleged threats.
Feinmann said there were reports of FBI agents being present at East Rutherford Stadium during the World Cup final, who were looking for 'Chiqui' Tapia, president of the Argentine Football Association (AFA), and even planned to enter the locker room.
It is worth mentioning that the AFA and Tapia are being accused of tax evasion and money laundering, as well as other crimes in the United States during the 2026 World Cup.
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The communicator said: "In the 36 hours leading up to the final match against Spain, there was a rumor on social media that the FBI was in the stadium to arrest 'Chiqui' Tapia, and that was discussed in the locker room, and that there was going to be a brutal stir because they were going to enter the locker room (...)".
According to Feinmann, the information not only circulated as a rumor on social media, but he also claimed to have received comments about it from the father of one of the national team players; he added that the operations were not only against Tapia and other officials, but also against the players for several matches: "Especially Messi."
Feinmann based his comments and assertions on a viral video of Messi encouraging the Argentina national team before the match, where he urges them to focus only on playing and forget about what was happening.
In these images, Messi, as captain of the Albiceleste, encourages the team that looks worried, serious, and even nervous.
It should be mentioned that there is no clear context in the video, nor is it known exactly what happened that led Messi to say such words: "Stay calm. Let's think about playing, stay calm. Let's forget about everything. Let's just think about playing, guys," says Lionel Messi in the video.
So far, Feinmann's comments and the theories on social media have not been confirmed by anyone linked to FIFA or the AFA, nor was an arrest warrant for Tapia and his officials made public during Argentina's games in the sporting event.
A few days ago, amid the World Cup turmoil, it was revealed that the FBI has been investigating the AFA since 2025 for the aforementioned crimes, although it was not clear if they were linked to the tournament.
La Nación revealed an investigation detailing that the AFA and Tapia are related to fraud against the U.S. banking system.
[Publicidad]