Stephen A. Smith Faces Backlash for Ignorance on World Cup Win

WHO:

NY Post - Stephen A. Smith, a sports commentator for ESPN.

Daily Mail Sports - World Cup fans.

WHAT:

Sportskeeda - Stephen A. Smith stated that France might "finally" have a chance to win the FIFA World Cup, despite their previous victory in 2018.

Pro Football Network - Smith was criticized by sports fans for his inaccurate comments regarding France's World Cup history, with fans expressing their discontent on social media.

NY Post - Stephen A. Smith displayed a lack of knowledge regarding World Cup history.

Daily Mail Sports - Smith questioned whether France will win the World Cup again, indicating he was unaware that France won the 2018 World Cup.

WHERE:

NY Post - ESPN, the network where Stephen A. Smith is a commentator.

WHY:

Daily Mail Sports - Smith's comments led to backlash and trolling from World Cup fans, highlighting his ignorance on the topic.

HOW:

Daily Mail Sports - Fans expressed their reactions through trolling on social media platforms.

(UPDATED June 18, 2026 06:38 UTC)

Stephen A. Smith has suggested that France might "finally" have a chance to win the FIFA World Cup again, despite their victory in 2018. However, his comments have drawn criticism from sports fans, who took to social media to express their discontent over what they see as inaccuracies regarding France's World Cup history. This backlash highlights the passionate engagement of fans when it comes to discussions about their favorite teams and tournaments.

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(UPDATED June 18, 2026 04:22 UTC)

Stephen A. Smith, a prominent sports commentator for ESPN, faced backlash from World Cup fans after he questioned whether France would win the tournament again, seemingly unaware that they had won in 2018. His comments sparked a wave of trolling on social media, highlighting his lack of knowledge about World Cup history. Fans took to various platforms to express their reactions, underscoring the strong emotions surrounding the prestigious event.