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FIFA World Cup conspiracy theory rages after 'rigged' first USA game - MSN

msn.com

Conspiracy thinking is exploding around the USA's opening World Cup game — a textbook case of how pattern-seeking minds manufacture "rigging" narratives from ambiguous events.

Proportionality BiasConspiracy TheoryPattern RecognitionIllusory Correlation

Theory Briefing

  • A viral conspiracy theory claims the USA's first World Cup game was 'rigged', spreading rapidly across social media.
  • The 'rigged' narrative illustrates proportionality bias — fans assume a significant outcome must have a significant, intentional cause.
  • FIFA's history of corruption scandals gives just enough prior suspicion to make the conspiracy theory feel plausible to believers.