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Lionel Messi was the footballer who received the most death threats during the 2026 World Cup, according to a newly released US police report reviewed by Spanish newspaper Marca.

The report details a series of security threats handled by the FBI and international police agencies during the seven-week tournament, including several incidents involving players, referees and stadiums.

One of the most serious threats came before Argentina’s group-stage meeting with Jordan. According to the report, a man contacted Dallas airport and claimed he and two others planned to storm the stadium with homemade bombs and an AR-15 rifle. Messi was reportedly named as their intended target.

Further threats emerged before Argentina’s last-16 clash with Egypt. One suspect wrote on social media: “I’m going to enter Atlanta Stadium and I’m going to blow up Messi with four bombs stuck in my body.”

Police also received a separate report claiming that three bombs had been hidden in bins around the stadium. Authorities launched a search with explosive-detection dogs but found nothing. The bomb threat was later established to be a hoax.

Messi was not the only high-profile player caught up in security scares during the tournament.

FIFA alerted the FBI after a suspicious man repeatedly sought information about Cristiano Ronaldo’s whereabouts. Houston police later arrested the man at the hotel where Portugal were staying.

Two days later, another person was arrested in Toronto after attempting to enter a lift with Ronaldo. The individual reportedly told officers he only wanted a photograph with the Portugal captain.

Referees also faced serious threats during the tournament. French referee François Letexier received more than 6,000 hateful messages on WhatsApp following the controversial Argentina-Egypt fixture. VAR official Willy Delajod was also subjected to abuse.

Authorities subsequently increased security around the homes and families of both officials in France.

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FIFA president Gianni Infantino is facing growing opposition ahead of the election for his final term in March 2027, with several European football associations withdrawing their support following the controversy surrounding his proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise investment plan.

Infantino’s re-election had appeared largely assured until the plan, which sought to invite private companies to invest in the World Cup, triggered criticism from football authorities.

FIFA subsequently shelved the proposal, while Infantino apologised for errors surrounding the initiative.

He has since secured the backing of FIFA’s senior executives at a crisis meeting in Rabat, Morocco.

The final decision, however, rests with FIFA’s 211 member associations.

Each association has one vote, meaning countries such as San Marino and the Bahamas carry the same voting weight as major football nations including Brazil and England.

Confederations such as UEFA and the Confederation of African Football can endorse candidates and lobby their members, but individual associations ultimately cast the votes.

While UEFA has publicly criticised Infantino, the African football confederation has backed him.

No candidate has formally emerged to challenge him so far, with the deadline for nominations set for November 18.

Nations opposing Infantino
Opposition to Infantino has been concentrated largely in Europe. Finland was among the first associations to withdraw its support, followed by England, Wales and Serbia. Sweden, Greece, Albania, Croatia, Germany Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway have subsequently indicated that they will not back the FIFA president’s re-election, PUNCH Online and itv reported Saturday.

Romania and the Czech Republic have also suggested they will not support Infantino, although neither association had formally declared its position at the time of the report.

Jordan is the only non-European country identified as having publicly said it will not support Infantino.

Its football federation is led by former FIFA vice-president Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, who accused FIFA’s leadership of blackmail.

He said Jordan had been awaiting money for reaching the final of the FIFA Arab Cup in Qatar in December and claimed he was told that supporting Infantino would help the federation receive the funds.

Prince Ali later confirmed that Jordan had received the outstanding money.

FULL LIST: Nations publicly opposing or withdrawing support
1. Finland

2. England

3. Wales

4. Serbia

5. Sweden

6. Greece

7. Albania

8. Croatia

9. Germany

10. Denmark

11. Netherlands

12. Norway

13. Jordan

Not formally opposed but indicating they may not back Infantino:
1. Romania
2. Czech Republic

Nations backing Infantino
Infantino has also retained support from several associations across different confederations. Qatar, Sri Lanka, Kuwait, Lebanon and Morocco publicly backed him after the FIFA Forward Enterprise plan was withdrawn.

Their support was followed by endorsements from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Indonesia, Bhutan, the Philippines, Mexico, Argentina and Paraguay.

Other associations with a history of supporting Infantino, including Egypt, Niger and Mauritania, have voiced support in recent weeks but stopped short of issuing full endorsements.

Full list: Nations publicly backing Infantino
1. Qatar

2. Sri Lanka

3. Kuwait

4. Lebanon

5. Morocco

6. Democratic Republic of Congo

7. Indonesia

8. Bhutan

9. Philippines

10. Mexico

11. Argentina

12. Paraguay

Nations voicing support but stopping short of full endorsements:
1. Egypt

2. Niger

3. Mauritania

The positions outlined above are based on the associations publicly identified in the report.

With 211 FIFA members entitled to vote and the candidate nomination deadline still ahead, the balance of support could change before the March 2027 election.

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Jorge Messi has died at the age of 68, according to multiple Argentine media outlets. Lionel Messi’s father had been battling health problems for some time.

Back in June, Lionel Messi was visibly emotional after scoring for Argentina against Algeria at the World Cup. Afterwards, he responded: “Why was I crying? It had absolutely nothing to do with football. I have had a few difficult days.”

His comments sparked intense speculation. Multiple media outlets reported it was linked to his father’s health, although conflicting accounts were circulating over what exactly was happening.

Background and Career Impact, Jorge Messi played a vital role in his son’s rise to football greatness, guiding him from childhood in Argentina to joining Barcelona at age 13. He served as Lionel’s primary representative and business manager throughout his legendary career.His recent health struggles had heavily weighed on the family, famously reducing Lionel to tears after scoring in Argentina’s opening match.