2026 World Cup: Mikel Obi makes claim about ‘FIFA favouring Messi’ at tournament

Former Super Eagles captain, John Mikel Obi, has claimed that fans of Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, are behind rumours that FIFA is favouring Lionel Messi and Argentina at the 2026 World Cup.

Mikel Obi was speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, in response to comments made by former Chelsea teammate, Joe Cole.

The duo were part of the analysis team ahead of Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final between England and Argentina.

Cole claimed the “whole world wants Messi in the final” while suggesting the Albiceleste could employ dark art to win the game.

Mikel Obi fired back, highlighting that the current champions made their path by winning their group.

He said: “If they won their games, which they should have done, they would not play tougher teams. Argentina did their job, they won their games, and they got into the easier group.

“So this is all Ronaldo fans. I don’t like that. FIFA are not favouring Messi.”

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