Tottenham Hotspur forward Richarlison has hit out at 'fake news' on social media, denying claims that he would boycott the 2026 World Cup due to the conflict in Iran.
The 28-year-old Brazilian responded to a fabricated post on X, formerly Twitter, which falsely quoted him as saying he would not play in the tournament until the war ends. Richarlison called the spread of the lie 'too far' and urged those who shared it to delete their posts.
In a statement, Richarlison said: 'Just to be clear, because the fake news has gone too far: I never made that statement. Although I am against any kind of war and conflict, I never said I wouldn't play for the Brazilian national team at the World Cup.'
The 2026 World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, begins on June 11. The tournament has already faced criticism amid protests over US immigration policies and unrest in Mexico.
Professional Footballers Association chief Maheta Molango revealed that England players have raised concerns about being asked to take moral stances on geopolitical issues, feeling it is unfair to be turned into political spokespeople.
