A DirecTV Sports commentator called Senegal « Senegral » and France an « African country » at halftime of France-Senegal on Tuesday at the 2026 World Cup. The remark, widely condemned as racist, has sparked anger from Dakar to the diaspora.
In Argentina, mocking the origins of French players has become an unfortunate habit. After the racist chant during the 2024 Copa América celebrations, then Vice-President Victoria Villarruel’s comments — which forced Buenos Aires into an official apology to France — a fresh episode erupted on Tuesday. At halftime of France-Senegal (3-1), the DirecTV Sports commentator, named by Argentine media as Pablo Giralt, first renamed Senegal « Senegral. » Before describing the game as a clash « between two African countries. »
The implication was lost on no one. By placing France among the continent’s nations, the remark targets the origins of many France internationals — and, in the process, turns belonging to Africa into an insult. That stings well beyond France’s borders. From Dakar to the diaspora, the clip — first shared by an Argentine account that celebrated it — triggered a wave of outrage. As of now, neither the channel nor the commentator had responded. The affair strongly echoes 2024; whether it too will have consequences remains to be seen.