The 2026 World Cup already has its first media scandal, and it came not from the pitch but from the studios of TyC Sports. Journalist Ariel Rodríguez caused a moment of maximum tension during the pre-match coverage of Argentina vs. Austria, when a technical error left his microphone open and an unexpected comment was heard.
“Your big ones that you like, in this shitty World Cup,” he was heard saying as images showed fans at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The phrase, said in an informal tone, was picked up by the program’s audio and quickly went viral on social media, sparking a wave of criticism and memes.
Far from staying silent, Rodríguez came forward with a video in which he tried to put out the fire. “They tell me that the phrase where I said ‘shitty World Cup’ went on air, talking about internal banter,” he explained, visibly uncomfortable. According to his version, it was a slip in a casual chat with his colleague and does not reflect his real opinion about the tournament.
“It’s an inside joke we have every day, it’s not what I think nor did I say it on air. It was a phrase that slipped out in passing,” the journalist insisted, adding that in those informal conversations they talk about both good and bad play. “I say that in this World Cup, there are a couple of teams that, because there are so many, take advantage of that and end up scoring many goals,” he added, trying to justify the outburst.
However, the damage was already done. Social media exploded with the audio, and many users did not hesitate to criticize the communicator for his lack of professionalism. “We’re talking about a very good World Cup, and it was simply an inside joke with my colleague, it’s not what I think,” Rodríguez concluded, in a desperate attempt to calm the waters.
The incident occurred at one of the most iconic stadiums in the United States, where the Argentine national team was playing the second matchday of the group. The sound error exposed a private conversation that was not intended for the public, and which has now become the topic of the day in the football world.
Meanwhile, TyC Sports’ production has not issued any official statement, although measures are expected to be taken to prevent similar situations from happening again. The fact is that the 2026 World Cup already has its first scandal, and Ariel Rodríguez is the involuntary protagonist of this controversy that promises to keep generating buzz.
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Ariel tiene razon estos progreros de TyC nos quieren lavar la cabeza con el mundial para mi es una obligacion patriotera. Vayanse a llorar a otro lado zurdos de mierda siempre llorando. Viva la patria carajo argentinismo y patriotismo!
che pero este pelotudo de rodriguez se cree q esta en un programa de chimentos?? para mi el mundial es una mierda capitalista y el lo sabe pero se hace el boludo con la cargada interna rata de cloaca defendé a los pueblos o callate la boca firma el comandante