Argentina secures top spot in FIFA men’s rankings amidst criticism for team’s racially insensitive song aimed at France

Argentina has maintained its top spot in the FIFA men’s rankings according to the latest release. The country has come under scrutiny recently after a video surfaced showing players celebrating their Copa America victory by singing a racist song targeting France, the second-ranked team globally. The incident has led to various repercussions, including the dismissal of a senior sports official who called for apologies from Lionel Messi and the president of the Argentine Football Association. FIFA has initiated an investigation into the matter, while Chelsea has taken disciplinary action against its player Enzo Fernandez for his involvement in the video.

Following the backlash, Fernandez issued an apology on social media, expressing regret for his actions. Despite this, Argentina’s vice president, Victoria Villarruel, defended the players involved in the incident, criticizing those who have condemned their behavior. She asserted that Argentina would not be shamed for a song sung on the field and praised the players for their achievements. Villarruel highlighted the multicultural history of Argentina and emphasized the country’s stance against intolerance.

The song in question made derogatory remarks about the African heritage of certain French players, sparking outrage among the football community. Players from Chelsea, including Wesley Fofana, condemned the incident as blatant racism. Some members of the France national team also spoke out against the inappropriate behavior displayed by their Argentine counterparts. The chant originally surfaced during the build-up to the 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and France, with Argentina emerging victorious in a penalty shootout.

FIFA’s President, Gianni Infantino, has reiterated the organization’s zero-tolerance policy towards racism and committed to monitoring such incidents closely. Meanwhile, in the latest rankings update, Spain climbed to third place after winning Euro 2024, displacing England to fourth place. Brazil now occupies the fifth spot, with Colombia rising to ninth following their Copa America final appearance. Morocco remains Africa’s top-ranked team at 14th, while Japan holds the highest position for an Asian team at 18th. In North America, the United States dropped to 16th place, with Mexico following closely behind.