A pilot on a flight has been criticized for a prank that led to confusion and anger among passengers after the World Cup final. The pilot reportedly announced that Argentina had won the tournament, causing initial jubilation among fans wearing the South American country's football shirts.
Footage shared on TikTok appears to capture the moment the pilot informed passengers of the match's conclusion between Argentina and Spain. The pilot stated, "It was a fiercely contested match right to the end, including extra time. Both teams gave it their all but unfortunately, only one team can win the World Cup final." He then added, "We wanted to congratulate our Argentine friends."
At this point, the cabin erupted in cheers, with many passengers, some in Lionel Messi jerseys, believing their team had secured a second consecutive World Cup title. The mood shifted dramatically when the captain continued, "Spain has won."
Argentinian media outlets have described the pilot's actions as a "sick joke" and a "terrible act with a questionable sense of humour." Newspaper La Voz del Interior reported that the false announcement "sparked celebrations among the passengers before revealing Spain were the champions." Another outlet warned of "serious consequences aboard the aircraft once the truth finally came out," suggesting passengers might have reacted confrontationally.
The airline and the flight's destination have not been disclosed. The match itself saw Spain crowned champions for the second time after Ferran Torres's extra-time strike defeated Argentina. This loss marked Lionel Messi's second World Cup final defeat, following the 2014 final against Germany. Messi, 39, is unlikely to participate in the next World Cup, which is scheduled to be co-hosted by Morocco, Portugal, and Spain, with additional matches in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay.