Study finds X's algorithms amplified racist attacks on England players during World Cup

Hope Not Hate analysed more than 300,000 posts on X during the 2026 World Cup and uncovered over 5,500 overtly racist messages directed at England footballers. The study found that the platform's recommender algorithm amplified these posts, placing them prominently in users' feeds to maximise engagement and advertising income. Jude Bellingham received the highest volume of abuse, while Bukayo Saka and Kobbie Mainoo faced the greatest proportion of racist remarks relative to overall mentions; Djed Spence also encountered anti-Muslim slurs.

Senior researcher Patrik Hermansson said X benefits financially from the hate and that the company could curb the spread by downranking abusive content. The FA urged service providers to create safer online environments, and Ofcom pledged to hold tech firms accountable and work with police and football bodies to combat abuse. Hope Not Hate recommends that Ofcom use its Online Safety Act powers to label major sporting events as high-risk and enforce stricter algorithmic safeguards.