Audio By Carbonatix
Wafa Media Foundation, a pro-Islamic State (ISIS) group, have released a poster threatening to bring terror to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia that features an image of Barcelona and Argentina star Lionel Messi crying blood.
SITE Intel Group relayed the image on Twitter:
Pro-#ISIS media unit Wafa' Foundation continues to threaten 2018 FIFA #WorldCup, this time using an image of #LionelMessi in a prison outfit pic.twitter.com/isB8RDKYAK
— SITE Intel Group (@siteintelgroup) October 24, 2017
The image features the tagline "Just Terrorism" underneath the image of Messi, who is depicted behind jail bars and wearing a jumpsuit with his name on it.
The poster also delivers a warning that "you are fighting a state that does not have failure in its dictionary."
As noted by Marissa Payne of the Washington Post, this is not the first piece of ISIS propaganda making reference to the World Cup.
Others have showed the tournament logo exploding into two pieces accompanied by phrases that include "we are the one who chooses the battlefield" and "I swear that the mujahideen's fire will burn you, just you wait."
SITE's Rita Katz provided further details:
#FIFA18 a recurring topic among #ISIS supporters, w chatter & graphics threatening "enemies of Allah in #Russia"https://t.co/MfmbizGUyg pic.twitter.com/CqoEROGfjB
— Rita Katz (@Rita_Katz) October 24, 2017
Per Payne, the terrorist group also made threats to both the 2016 UEFA European Championship and the 2017 Women's UEFA European Championship, though both tournaments passed without any attacks.
The World Cup is scheduled to begin on June 14 next summer, with 12 stadiums and 11 different cities to host matches. The final will take place at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 15.
Latest Stories
-
Ghana to face Nigeria in a friendly ahead of Commonwealth Games
12 minutes -
Today’s Front pages: Thursday, May 7, 2026
25 minutes -
BECE 2026 progressing smoothly in Old Tafo Municipality
26 minutes -
Health Minister assures full implementation of Akosa Committee recommendations on Charles Amissah death
28 minutes -
TDC gives property owners 30 days to settle ground rent debts
29 minutes -
New WHO report reveals failures in hiring, retention of Africa’s health workers
30 minutes -
Afoko holds consultations with Bawumia, Akufo-Addo, Kufuor and others ahead of NPP conference
41 minutes -
Boakye Agyarko intensifies his message of unity, discipline, and victory
49 minutes -
The Agbodza Axe: Why Deadlines are the New Social Contract
2 hours -
NIA aims to build a dynamic database – Corporate Affairs Director
2 hours -
Court refuses businessmen bail over GH¢49m gold fraud
2 hours -
Patronise local chicken to sustain Nkoko Nketenkete Programme – Coordinator
2 hours -
Tanyigbe SHS girls shine at African 15th Armwrestling Championship
2 hours -
Never once did I interfere – Former AG Godfred Dame defends record with OSP
2 hours -
Adongo defends BoG recapitalisation plan amid growing debate over GH¢93.82bn negative equity
2 hours