Online Abuse Soars at the World Cup
FIFA's Social Media Protection Service has logged more than seven million abusive comments throughout the tournament, a fourteen‑fold jump compared with the 2022 edition.
The SMPS team examined over half a million messages flagged by artificial intelligence that were aimed at players, coaches and officials, and they removed content that violated platform policies.
More than a thousand threats have been forwarded to law‑enforcement agencies, underscoring the seriousness of the harassment that is spilling onto the pitch.
Since the competition began, the protection service has moderated in excess of fifty‑three million posts and comments, illustrating the scale of interaction on social platforms during the global event.
Racial slurs accounted for roughly eleven percent of the offensive material identified, highlighting a persistent problem that extends beyond mere volume.
The tournament will draw to a close on Sunday with the final showdown between Argentina and Spain, a match that will be watched not only for sporting glory but also for the ongoing battle against online abuse.