Fifa add Spanish translation after Hakimi and Vinicius Jr disputes
Fifa has introduced Spanish as a fourth language for World Cup press conferences following awkward exchanges involving Achraf Hakimi and Vinicius Jr.
The governing body initially restricted translations to English and the native languages of the competing nations.
This rigid policy created a logistical headache during the build-up to the Group C match between Brazil and Morocco at the New Jersey Stadium.
A video widely circulated on social media showed a Mexican journalist being blocked from questioning the Paris St-Germain defender in Spanish.
Hakimi’s linguistic confusion
The Moroccan international, who was born in Spain, was eager to interact in his native tongue.
Despite the player’s willingness, a tournament official maintained that limited translation resources made the request impossible.
“It’s OK, I understand. I can respond in English, if you prefer?”
The former Real Madrid full-back then asked delegates for guidance before eloquently delivering his answer in English.
Vinicius Jr stands firm
Language barriers have proven to be a recurring theme throughout this global tournament.
Another dispute arose when a Venezuelan reporter asked a question in Spanish to the Brazilian superstar.
“I’m with Brazil, I’m gonna speak in Portuguese.”
The lightning-fast winger refused to accommodate the request, highlighting the constraints of the previous media regulations.
Policy update confirmed
Organisers have now moved quickly to resolve the rising tension between the world’s media and tournament officials.
Spanish translation services will be immediately integrated into all future media briefings for the remainder of the competition.
This rapid adjustment ensures journalists from across Latin America can operate without further restrictions on the global stage.
