The World Cup has suffered a 'significant increase' in the most serious examples of racist abuse online, Fifa's social media protection service (SMPS) has found, as England fans were left fuming after the BBC's coverage of their match against DR Congo briefly cut out.
A total of 89,000 abusive posts were identified across the group stage of the 2026 tournament – a 13-fold increase compared to 2022, when 6,700 abusive comments were identified over 48 matches. Racism represented 11% of all online abuse, a 3% rise on four years ago, and the SMPS said there was a significant increase in the objectively worst, most offensive material. More than 100 examples passed the legal thresholds for preparing case files to enforce action.
“World Cup racist abuse surged 13-fold to 89,000 posts as BBC coverage of England vs DR Congo briefly cut out.”
While detection methods have improved, the SMPS said the 'data trends show a concerning direction of travel in terms of racially aggravated abuse'. The warning came after Netherlands players who missed penalties in the last-32 shootout defeat to Morocco – Justin Kluivert, Quinten Timber and Crysencio Summerville – all suffered racist abuse, according to the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB).
The findings emerged as England’s match against DR Congo on Wednesday evening was hit by a brief technical glitch. After a normal first-half, in which the Three Lions went 1-0 down thanks to Brian Cipenga's seventh-minute strike, the BBC resumed their presentation of the fixture. But moments into the second period, as England launched a dangerous attack on Lionel Mpasi's goal, coverage dropped out for a few seconds, leaving viewers with a black screen.
Fans took to social media in frustration. One joked: 'I’d turn it off as well @BBC,' while another asked: 'BBC what was that????' A third said: 'Did everyone miss that England chance on BBC or was my TV just bugging.'
The glitch capped a first half jam-packed with controversy, as England were denied what appeared to be a clear penalty when Harry Kane burst into the box and went down under a challenge from Mpasi. Referee Adham Makhadmeh gave a free-kick in DR Congo's favour, accusing Kane of diving. VAR sided with the official, but BBC pundit Alan Shearer said: 'There’s contact, there’s no doubt. That for me is a penalty.'
More than six million posts and comments were scanned during the group stage – an increase of 33% – with 225,000 identified for human review. Around 1,000 accounts were identified for further investigation and 181,000 hateful comments hidden. The SMPS warned the data trends show a worrying escalation in racist abuse, as the tournament continues.