FIFA chief refereeing officer Pierluigi Collina stated on July 9, 2026, that "nobody can question the integrity" of World Cup match officials following allegations from the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) regarding officiating during Egypt's 3-2 defeat to Argentina. The EFA has called for an investigation into what they describe as "double standards" in officiating.
Egypt's Controversial Match Against Argentina
During the World Cup last-16 match, Egypt led 2-0 before Argentina made a comeback. Key decisions by the referees, including a controversial ruling by the video assistant referee (VAR) that disallowed a goal by Egypt's Mostafa Zico, have led to claims of unfair treatment. The EFA demanded FIFA remove the officials from the tournament, suggesting that the refereeing decisions favored Argentina and allowed their star player Lionel Messi to continue in the competition.
Collina emphasized that while discussions about referee decisions are part of football, unfounded allegations can lead to serious consequences, including threats against officials and their families. He stated, "Of course, constructive discussion about decisions will always be part of football, but unfounded allegations have no place in our sport."
Referee Decisions Explained
In the second half, a foul committed by Egypt's Marwan Attia was identified in the build-up to Zico's goal, leading to its disallowance. Collina remarked, "After every goal is scored, the VAR checks the attacking possession phase (APP). If a foul is identified in the build-up and is deemed to have had an impact on the goal, the VAR will recommend an on-field review." He further clarified that there is no specific limit regarding the distance from goal or the time between the incident and the goal.
