An online petition calling for Argentina's permanent exclusion from the FIFA World Cup attracted more than 23 million signatures from 170 countries in less than a week, making it one of the most widely circulated online petitions in history.

Titled Argentina Out and launched during the 2026 World Cup, the campaign accused FIFA and match officials of showing 'bias' toward Argentina and their captain Lionel Messi — allegations FIFA firmly rejected. The petition's text posed a blunt question to world football's governing body: "Why should the rest of the teams play in the tournament if the winner is known in advance? Exclude Argentina from the World Cup and give everyone a fair chance."

Organisers initially set a target of five million signatures. The final tally of 23,316,108 — gathered from across 170 nations — obliterated that goal and propelled the petition toward Guinness World Record territory, though it ultimately fell short of the all-time mark.

Spain's victory closes the chapter

The petition was launched amid growing anger at Argentina's conduct during the tournament, which many observers labelled 'classless.' Those frustrations reached a peak in Sunday's final, when Spain defeated Argentina 1-0. Messi — the Argentine captain and talisman — left the pitch in tears as ugly scenes unfolded at the full-time whistle.

Following Spain's victory, the petition was closed. Its website was updated with a pointed message: "FIFA ignored us but Spain delivered. Thank you Spain."

Despite the fury, the petition carries no binding authority. Argentina will continue to feature in future World Cup tournaments, including the 2030 edition, where they are among several host nations for an expanded, 64-team competition.

A record just out of reach

With 23,316,108 signatures, Argentina Out came agonisingly close to the Guinness World Record for the most-signed online petition. That record belongs to Jubilee 2000, an international movement that campaigned for the cancellation of unpayable debts owed by the world's poorest nations. Launched in April 1997, the Jubilee 2000 petition accumulated 24,319,181 signatures from 166 countries by the time it was presented at the UN Millennium Summit in New York at the close of 2000.