Egypt coach Hossam Hassan claims injustice after World Cup loss to Argentina on July 7, 2026

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan expressed outrage following his team's 3-2 defeat to Argentina in the round of 16 at the World Cup on July 7, 2026, in Atlanta. He criticized referee Francois Letexier for several controversial decisions, including the disallowance of a goal that would have put Egypt ahead 2-0.

Egypt's Controversial Match Decisions

During the match, Egypt initially led with a score of 2-0 until Argentina's Cristian Romero scored in the 79th minute, followed by Lionel Messi equalizing shortly after. The decisive goal came from Enzo Fernandez in stoppage time. Hassan was particularly upset about a VAR review that overturned a goal and a late tackle in the penalty box that went unreviewed.

“I’m not convinced with this outcome. We have been treated unfairly today. We have suffered injustice,” Hassan stated. He referred to Letexier's background, questioning his impartiality in the match.

Referee Controversy and Match Dynamics

Hassan received a yellow card for protesting the lack of a VAR review during extra time. He remarked, “I was just saying this is unfair. Maybe he has something to hide.” His frustration escalated as the match progressed, culminating in a red card issued to one of his staff members.

By the end of the match, Egypt had received five yellow cards while Argentina received none, raising concerns about officiating bias. “Ordinary life is unfair, but why isn't there fairness in sports?” Hassan questioned.

Scheduling Concerns and Player Welfare

In addition to officiating issues, Hassan criticized the match's noon start time, suggesting it was unreasonable for player performance. “You do not schedule a football match for 12pm. When are the players supposed to eat?” he argued.

Despite the disappointing outcome, Hassan praised his team's performance, stating, “We looked better compared to the reigning champions.” He vowed to avoid watching further matches in the tournament, feeling that Egypt deserved better from the officiating and scheduling.