Why more than 60,000 Argentina fan are petitioning for FIFA to replay World Cup final vs. Spain originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The end of Argentina’s 2026 World Cup run has been a brutal one, to say the least. Along with Messi‘s probable international soccer retirement looming, Argentine fans have not handled their 1-0 loss to Spain well.
One fan who believes Argentina was robbed of a win due to poor refereeing has created a petition that has since garnered more than 60,000 signatures. While the number of signatures nears the capacity of MetLife Stadium, can FIFA do anything?
Here’s why a large group of La Albiceleste fans has signed a petition to replay the World Cup final and whether FIFA is allowed to replay a match due to a petition.
Argentina-Spain World Cup final petition
According to beIN SPORTS, Gisela Sanchez created a petition on Change.org to have FIFA replay the 2026 World Cup final match between Argentina and Spain. While early numbers showed the petition had 61,000 signatures, Euronews reports that the actual number sits at over 80,700 signatures. Sanchez’s petition text states that a few decisions from referee Slavko Vincic and his staff impacted how the match played out.
She has asked FIFA to review the incidents and irregularities; however, the post does not provide valid evidence to support those claims. Unless FIFA deems it worthy of a replay in extreme circumstances, this match will not be replayed solely because of this petition.
On the complete other side of the spectrum, another petition has gone viral asking for La Albiceleste to be banned permanently from future global tournaments. This petition has over 24 million signatures, according to TSN Sports, and is nearing the Guinness World Record for the most ever.
No, the World Cup final match between Argentina and Spain will not be replayed.
A Change.org petition, no matter how many signatures accompany it, has no legal or binding effect on the result of Spain’s World Cup win.
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