Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla has sparked fresh controversy during the 2026 FIFA World Cup after mocking France’s elimination in the semi-finals.
Moments after Spain secured a 2-0 victory, the opposition politician posted “Spain 2 France 0” on X alongside a mocking GIF. The post quickly drew strong reactions from French supporters and marked another public jab at Les Bleus, just days after France defeated Paraguay in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The latest incident comes shortly after Amarilla faced widespread criticism for racist remarks directed at France captain Kylian Mbappé. Those comments prompted the French Football Federation (FFF) to file a complaint with French authorities, leading the Paris prosecutor’s office to open an investigation into allegations of aggravated public insult and incitement to hatred. The FFF condemned the remarks as “abject and unacceptable,” while Mbappé, French President Emmanuel Macron, FIFA and the Paraguayan government also denounced the senator’s statements.
Amarilla’s latest social media post has reignited tensions between French football supporters and the Paraguayan politician as the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches its conclusion. With the legal investigation still ongoing in France, her repeated attacks continue to attract international attention and fuel debate far beyond the football pitch.
