World Cup teams promote anti-hate speech message in Thursday matches
ESPN Soccer • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 18, 2026, 1:30 PM
Last updated Jun 18, 2026
Eight teams competing in Thursday's World Cup matches, including Czechia, South Africa, Mexico, South Korea, Switzerland, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Canada, and Qatar, are participating in an International Day for Countering Hate Speech. Pre-match ceremonies feature an exchange of pennants bearing the message “We Play Together. We Stand Against Hate,” in English and the teams' native languages. FIFA has reported removing over 30 million abusive posts since the launch of its social media protection service before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, including nearly 400,000 during the early days of the current tournament. Additional stadium activities promoting this message are planned throughout the day.
- •Eight teams participate in anti-hate campaign during World Cup matches
- •Pennants will feature messages in multiple languages
- •FIFA deleted over 30 million abusive posts since 2022
- •Almost 400,000 posts removed in early days of this World Cup
- •Additional activations planned during matches
- 6:33 PMESPN Soccer — WC matches to have anti-hate speech messaging
- 1:30 PMYahoo Sports — Thursday's World Cup matches to have messaging denouncing hate speech
"The eight teams playing World Cup matches on Thursday are taking part in an International Day for Countering Hate Speech commemoration, with a pre-match exchange of pennants denouncing such language. FIFA says it has deleted more than 30 million abusive posts and comments since its social media protection service was created before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
"The eight teams playing World Cup matches on Thursday are taking part in an International Day for Countering Hate Speech commemoration, with a pre-match exchange of pennants denouncing such language.
Sources
External links- ESPN SoccerJun 18, 2026, 6:33 PMWC matches to have anti-hate speech messaging
The eight teams playing World Cup matches on Thursday are taking part in an International Day for Countering Hate Speech commemoration, with a pre-match exchange of pennants denouncing such language.
- Yahoo SportsJun 18, 2026, 1:30 PMThursday's World Cup matches to have messaging denouncing hate speech
The eight teams playing World Cup matches on Thursday are taking part in an International Day for Countering Hate Speech commemoration, with a pre-match exchange of pennants denouncing such language. FIFA says it has deleted more than 30 million abusive posts and comments since its social media protection service was created before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
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