After the whistle: AI videos, false quotes and the World Cup's biggest viral fakes | Euronews

Theory Briefing

• Claims that the tournament was rigged for Argentina fueled one of the biggest conspiracy theories of the entire World Cup.
• AI-generated videos and fabricated quotes circulated widely as apparent "proof," showing how synthetic media can make a baseless claim feel documented.
• The pattern mirrors classic rumor cycles: a disputed outcome triggers suspicion, and fakes fill the gap where hard evidence is absent.
• Euronews tracked the specific viral fakes, revealing how quickly misinformation can outpace official corrections during a high-emotion global event.