Egypt's Football Association filed a formal complaint with FIFA on July 9, 2026, after a controversial World Cup exit against Argentina. The complaint centers on accusations of "double standards" in officiating, particularly regarding a VAR decision that disallowed a crucial Egyptian goal.
Controversial officiating in the World Cup
During the match, Egypt initially led 2-0, raising hopes of a monumental upset against the defending champions. However, Argentina's remarkable comeback, scoring three late goals, has ignited widespread allegations of favoritism towards the team led by Lionel Messi. The Egyptian federation criticized the officiating by referee François Letexier and his team, demanding their removal from the tournament.
The federation's complaint highlights several specific refereeing decisions that have drawn scrutiny. Among these is the VAR intervention that ruled out a goal from Egyptian player Mostafa Zico due to a foul. Additionally, they argue that a challenge on Egyptian star Mohamed Salah just before Argentina's stoppage-time winner should have resulted in a penalty.
Accusations of favoritism towards Argentina
Head coach Hossam Hassan expressed frustration, stating that his team was "cheated" out of a quarter-final spot and suggested that "external factors" may have influenced the match outcome. The fallout from this defeat has led to a surge of viral claims across social media, with users alleging that the World Cup is "rigged" in favor of Argentina.
