The New York Times reports that FIFA has launched an investigation into alleged racist abuse against iShowSpeed after it was caught during the streamer’s World Cup livestream on YouTube.
Last month, Speed, whose real name is Darren Watkins Jr., became the unofficial face of the online World Cup, live-streaming matches from stadiums across the United States and giving millions of viewers a front-row seat to the tournament through official partnerships with FIFA, FOX Sports and YouTube. His streams have featured FIFA President Gianni Infantino, soccer legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic, New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani, and more.
IShowSpeed didn’t know he was sitting next to New York City Mayor Mamdani at the World Cup
FIFA announced on Tuesday that it had opened an investigation into an incident that occurred during Argentina’s Round of 32 victory over Cape Verde on July 3 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. Footage from Speed’s livestream shows the 21-year-old creator, who was wearing a Cape Verde jersey, confronting an Argentina supporter in the stands after a viewer claimed the fan directed a racist slur at him.
“The FIFA World Cup is a celebration of unity, diversity and respect,” the organization said in a statement provided to The Associated Press. “This game brings together people, cultures and communities from around the world, and anyone whose behavior undermines these values has no place in our game.”
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The survey comes amid awareness that Argentina is at the center of some of the tournament’s biggest flashpoints. A few days after the game against Cape Verde, the defending champions scored a dramatic 3-2 come-from-behind victory over Egypt in the Round of 16. The result was overshadowed by a controversial VAR call, an Egyptian goal overturned and a formal complaint by the Egyptian Football Association against the referee. The controversy sparked intense online debate over Argentina’s progress in the tournament.
Speed, a long-time supporter of Cristiano Ronaldo, frequently trolls Lionel Messi online and was also seen mocking the Argentine star before missing a penalty against Egypt. Later in the same vein, the author was confronted by Argentine fans in the stands, one of whom appeared to be yelling at him while mocking his moves. “What happened to that guy?” Speed says on the air.
For Speed, who has more than 57 million subscribers on YouTube and nearly 150 million followers across the platform, the incident highlights how his stream has become more than just creator content.
With tens of millions of followers tuning in to his channel, he has emerged as the World Cup’s best Gen Z correspondent, taking viewers into the stands to capture the true atmosphere of the tournament, not just the sophisticated TV moments.
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