On July 7, 2026, Egypt's superstar Mostafa Ziko raised serious allegations against FIFA, claiming the integrity of the tournament was compromised following Egypt's controversial 3-2 defeat to Argentina in Cape Verde. The match saw Egypt initially leading 2-0 before a series of contentious referee decisions turned the tide.
Controversial Refereeing Decisions
Egypt's promising start was marred by a crucial VAR decision that disallowed a goal by Ziko, which followed a spectacular play involving Haissem Hassan and Mohamed Salah. Ziko's strike was ruled out after the referee deemed there was a foul in the build-up, leaving fans and players alike questioning the fairness of the officiating.
Following the disallowed goal, Ziko managed to score, taking Egypt to a 2-0 lead. However, the match continued to be plagued by controversy, including two penalty claims by Egypt that went unheeded and discussions of a potential red card in the early stages, particularly involving Leandro Paredes and Salah.
Ziko's Emotional Reaction
After the match, Ziko expressed his frustration in an interview with the BBC, stating, "The referee was really not fair. Not fair. The injustice was clear." He emphasized that Egypt's performance deserved better recognition and that the officiating had a significant impact on the game's outcome.
