Rumor – CNN warned that there is a video about Argentina winning the World Cup called “Argentina World Champion” that erases your phone in 10 seconds.
Analysis
The start of the 2026 World Cup has caused (besides capturing people’s attention) a chain message to spread online once again. Across multiple countries and in different languages, a warning has been circulating on the internet pointing to a video that allegedly “erases your phone in 10 seconds.”
According to the message, the video is titled “Argentina World Champion” and shows the team winning the World Cup. In addition to mentioning the supposed damage caused by the video, the message also claims that CNN issued a warning. Read two versions of the message circulating online:
Version 1: “They are going to release a video showing Argentina winning the World Cup. It is called “”Argentina World Champion””. Do not open it, because it enters your phone in 10 seconds and there is no way to stop it. It is a virus. Pass this on to your family and friends. They just warned about it on CNN too.”
Version 2: A-T-T-E-N-T-I-O-N……!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A video is circulating showing Argentina winning the World Cup. It is called “Argentina World Champion”. Do not open it, because it enters your phone in 10 seconds and there is no way to stop it. It is a virus. Pass this on to your family and friends. They just warned about it on CNN too.
Fact-Check
As mentioned, the story has spread across several languages (such as English, Spanish, and Portuguese). Therefore, we are here to check the facts and reassure you. This will be done by answering the following questions: 1) Is the World Cup video “Argentina World Champion” a virus that erases your phone in 10 seconds? 2) Did CNN warn about the World Cup video “Argentina World Champion” being a virus that erases your phone in 10 seconds? 3) What were the other times this same fake news circulated online?
Is the World Cup video “Argentina World Champion” a virus that erases your phone in 10 seconds?
No. Contrary to what the message claims, the video in question is not being sent by hackers to erase phones and steal data. Although there are various pieces of content featuring this reference (with footage from the 1978, 1986, and 2022 World Cups), we found no records of malware with this intent.
Furthermore, there is a technical reason that prevents this story from being real. A video file sent via WhatsApp is incapable of “erasing a phone.” Malware could be delivered through executable files or phishing websites, not through a standard video file (such as an MP4 format). To make matters worse, the rumor is old, and CNN has issued no warning on the matter.
Did CNN warn about the World Cup video “Argentina World Champion” being a virus that erases your phone in 10 seconds?
No, either. In addition to there being absolutely nothing about this video in CNN’s coverage (whether in its English, Spanish, or international broadcasts), the excerpt stating that “CNN warned” is nothing more than a hook used to make the rumor go viral — a tactic already deployed in other very similar cases.
What were the other times this same fake news circulated online?
Multiple times. There was a time, around the middle of the last decade, when this chain message circulated with various types of content. Always featuring the “CNN warned” line and the “virus that erases everything” rumor, the story circulated under topics such as “Windows Live update”, Mexico made a virus, and Pope Francis dancing. In all cases, it was a false alarm that achieved widespread online popularity.
Conclusion
The warning claiming there is a virus in a video called “Argentina World Champion,” regarding the World Cup, is false. It is an old chain message that started recirculating due to the beginning of the 2026 World Cup.
Fake news ❌
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