France defeated Paraguay 1-0 in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, with a goal from Kylian Mbappé on a penalty kick. The match was marked by tension and numerous fouls by the Paraguayan side, with several provocations also away from the ball. After the final whistle, Mbappé refused to shake hands with Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill, who had approached to congratulate him.

A few hours after the match, Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla, of the Partido Liberal Radical Auténtico, published a series of posts on X containing racist and xenophobic remarks toward the French captain. In one message she wrote that Mbappé had not even learned to write, that he grew up sucking coconuts instead of maternal milk, and that the most educated creatures she had ever heard were chimpanzees. In another post she called him a colonized Cameroonian pretending to be French, described him as resentful, newly rich, arrogant, and ugly, and said the only thing many regretted was not slapping him at the end of the match.

Mbappé responded publicly, also on X, with a harsh message. He called Amarilla a despicable woman unworthy of her function, stated that she does not represent Paraguay, a country that showed passion and honor throughout the competition, and accused her of having overshadowed the Paraguayan national team's historic performance through her uninhibited racism. He concluded by stating he would never allow people like her to spread their hate and racism around the world.

The episode occurred in an already tense climate. On the eve of the match, former Paraguay goalkeeper José Luis Chilavert had referred to France as a team coming from Africa, prompting a sharp reaction from French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo, who condemned the remarks as racist.

The French Football Federation (FFF) issued an official statement calling Amarilla's words totally abject and unacceptable, noting that the French national team players represent France and therefore the entire country was insulted. The FFF announced it would take legal action. According to la Repubblica, the United Nations also intervened, condemning messages of violence.