The Scandal Involving Florencia Peña
Florencia Peña, the host of the Argentine program El Show del Verano, stepped down from her role after false information about the death of Lionel Messi’s father was broadcast on air. Jorge Messi is the father of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner. During the live broadcast, Peña stated: ‘I hate to share bad news, but Messi’s father has just passed away. He’ll have to leave the national team right in the middle of the World Cup.’ It later emerged that this report was entirely untrue.
The leadership of Luzu TV decided to dismiss everyone involved in creating and spreading the misinformation. Peña apologized for the distress caused to the Messi family, saying:
‘I need to clarify that this false information was given to me live on air, supposedly verified by the show’s production team, and I trusted them. I apologize to the Messi family for the terrible moment I imagine they are going through. I am deeply ashamed that I caused this pain.’
The 2026 World Cup
While this incident dominates the news cycle, the media service Megogo has become the official broadcaster of the 2026 World Cup in Ukraine. Megogo will provide exclusive coverage of all tournament matches on its platform, with commentary in Ukrainian. Over 90 pre- and post-match studio shows are planned, enhancing the informational content during the event.
- All matches will be available through the 'Sport' and 'Megopack' subscription plans.
- Some games—including the opening match, two quarterfinals, both semifinals, the third-place playoff, and the final—will air for free on the Megogo Sport channel on T2 and cable networks.
- Match start times will be listed in Kyiv local time.
The 2026 World Cup kicks off on June 11 with a match between Mexico and South Africa. The schedule for Groups A through L has already been released. For instance, on June 12, Canada will face Bosnia and Herzegovina, and on June 14, Group C begins with Brazil versus Morocco. These events are set to be significant milestones for international football and the sports community in Ukraine.
The incident with Florencia Peña highlights the critical need for media accountability when disseminating information, especially concerning high-profile figures. Cases of disinformation can severely damage not only reputations but also the emotional well-being of those involved. Meanwhile, the switch of the World Cup broadcaster in Ukraine to Megogo opens new opportunities for fans, as the platform will offer match access and Ukrainian-language commentary, boosting interest in international football across the country.
As the football world grapples with the shocking news surrounding Messi's family, other stars are also preparing for the upcoming tournament. Notably, Ronaldo and Mbappé recently engaged in a playful Lego competition as part of their promotional activities leading up to the 2026 World Cup. This light-hearted event contrasts sharply with the serious nature of recent developments, highlighting the diverse narratives emerging in the world of sports.