‘France Has No French People’: Former Spanish Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy Ignites Racism Debate Ahead of World Cup Semi-final

Former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has come under fire after making remarks widely condemned as racist about Kylian Mbappe’s France national football team just days before Spain’s highly anticipated FIFA World Cup semi-final clash with Les Bleus.

Rajoy, who served as Spain’s prime minister from 2011 to 2018 under the conservative People’s Party (PP), wrote in an opinion piece published by Spanish newspaper El Debate on July 10 that France possesses “a very good team” but added that it has “no French people.”

The Controversial Statement

The controversial passage in Rajoy’s editorial read:

“France has been world champion twice and reached the final of the last edition. It has won every match it has played at this World Cup and sits at the top of the FIFA rankings. It also has an exceptionally talented squad. That said, without any French people.“

The remark has been interpreted by critics as questioning the nationality and identity of France’s predominantly multicultural squad, many of whose players are of African, Caribbean and North African heritage but were born in France or hold French citizenship.

The comments quickly sparked criticism on social media, with many users accusing Rajoy of perpetuating racist stereotypes by implying that players from immigrant backgrounds are not “truly French.”

Critics argue that the statement reflects a long-standing narrative often directed at France’s national football team, whose diversity has repeatedly made it a target of racist rhetoric despite its players representing France by birth, citizenship or both.

France’s Diverse Football Legacy

France has long been regarded as one of football’s most diverse national teams. Players from African, Caribbean and North African backgrounds have played pivotal roles in the country’s greatest successes, including its FIFA World Cup triumphs in 1998 and 2018, as well as its appearance in the 2022 World Cup final.

The multicultural composition of the French squad has often been celebrated as a reflection of modern French society, although it has also been a recurring subject of political debate. The timing of Rajoy’s remarks has drawn particular attention, coming just days before France and Spain are due to meet in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The fixture is one of the tournament’s most anticipated matches, pitting two European football powerhouses against one another for a place in the final. Rajoy’s comments have added an off-field controversy to an already emotionally charged encounter.

The incident also highlights the broader issue of racism in international football. French players have repeatedly been subjected to racist abuse over the years, both online and in stadiums. Kylian Mbappé, among others, has been targeted following major tournaments, while several members of France’s national team have faced discriminatory comments based on their ethnicity rather than their nationality.

The controversy echoes previous incidents in which politicians, public figures and supporters questioned the “French identity” of players from minority backgrounds, despite them being legitimate representatives of the country.

No Public Apology So Far

As of the time of writing, Rajoy has not publicly apologised for or retracted the remarks published in El Debate.

Whether the former Spanish leader intended the statement as political commentary or satire, it has been widely interpreted as a racist attack on the identity of France’s players and has reignited debate over race, nationality and belonging in European football.

With France and Spain preparing to battle for a place in the World Cup final, attention is now focused not only on the football itself but also on the wider conversations surrounding racism and inclusion in the sport.