July 15, 2026

Akahata ‘Beating’ column (excerpts)

At the 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, racist remarks by politicians have been rampant.

For example, a Paraguayan senator posted on social media a discriminatory remark describing French soccer star Kylian Mbappe as a “colonized Cameroonian” who pretends to be French, sparking a controversy.

This post was made on July 4 following the Paraguayan national team’s loss to France. Although the senator deleted the controversial post, the war of words between the two people continues.

Along with the French government and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the government of Paraguay has issued a statement condemning the senator. In addition, Mbappe, showing a firm stance, stated that he will never tolerate people who spread hatred and racism.

The global trend is shifting towards support for a diverse society where people of different nationalities and skin colors, including immigrants, live together in harmony. This is also true for the national teams of each country participating in the FIFA World Cup.

A Reuters analysis shows that of the 1,248 players registered for this year’s World Cup, 25%, or 289, were born outside the countries and regions they represent. The figure was less than 10% at the 2006 tournament in Germany.

With societies becoming diversified, to acknowledge and respect each other’s differences is important.