FIFA Forced Into U-Turn on Spanish Press Conference Rule After Backlash

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His passion for sports extends further than football, as he has covered several sports for GMS, including Boxing, Tennis, and Wrestling. Sign in to your GiveMeSport account FIFA have performed a swift U-turn on press conference rules at the 2026 World Cup after awkward incidents involving Achraf Hakimi and Vinicius Junior went viral.

The governing body has been under intense scrutiny after bringing in several new on-pitch rules for the biggest competition in world football. Mandatory hydration breaks annoyed Virgil van Dijk, while Scotland's Andy Robertson tried his best to get around new time-wasting regulations.

It goes to show not everyone agrees with the rules put in place. But there is sound logic behind them. Hydration breaks are to combat the searing temperatures the host nations can reach, while time-wasting regulations are designed to keep the game flowing.

However, one of the more bizarre regulations was displayed away from the pitch. A clip quickly went viral on social media, and the backlash appears to have forced FIFA's hand.

Ahead of Morocco vs Brazil on Saturday night, both Achraf Hakimi and Vinicius Junior appeared stunned when they were told Spanish questions were not allowed in press conferences.

Hakimi, who was born in Spain and speaks the language, tried to let the press officer know that he could answer a Mexican outlet's question in Spanish, saying: "It's OK, I understand."

There's been a big reaction from the media and Brazil fans alike to the 34-year-old's opening 2026 World Cup display against Morocco

However, he was told the resources to translate weren't available, and he instead had to answer in English, which he did very impressively. A lot of the major outrage has come from the fact that one of the host nations, Mexico, is a Spanish-speaking country.

Another clip then appeared of Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr. The Brazilian was asked to answer a question in Spanish, but he replied: "I'm with Brazil, I'm gonna speak in Portuguese."

According to a report from the Sporting News, FIFA have recognised the oversight and will now add Spanish as a fourth available language in press conferences. It comes after they noticed the strong backlash received online.

Before this change, FIFA offered translation in three languages. They were English and two others requested by each national team at the podium.

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