​With 79 minutes on the clock, Egypt appeared poised to pull off a historic upset. They led 2-0 against the defending champions, Argentina, and momentum seemed to be on their side as they chased a landmark result. Then Lionel Messi changed the trajectory of the game. He assisted Argentina’s opening goal and then netted the second within a five-minute spell, helping his side swing the tie in a dramatic fashion. Argentina added one more goal in stoppage time, sealing a 3-2 victory despite not scoring until the 79th minute.
But the Egyptian Football Association and head coach Hasan Hassan did not interpret the match as simply a loss that could be chalked up to bad luck. In a lengthy statement released on Wednesday, the Egyptian FA criticized what it described as “controversial and influential refereeing incidents” that, in their view, impacted the result. After thanking the fans for their support, the federation shifted focus to several key moments they believe called into question the fairness of the game.
The Egyptian FA underscored that it cannot remain silent about the refereeing decisions seen during the Argentina clash and the perceived underutilization of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system. They highlighted a series of crucial incidents that sparked serious concerns and raised profound questions about the consistency and fairness of officiating, especially in a match of such global importance as the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Commentators, analysts, and football experts both within Egypt and around the world have pointed to controversial refereeing moments in the game. This has amplified calls for maintaining the highest standards of integrity, fairness, and transparency in match officiating, particularly in a tournament of World Cup magnitude and significance.
A notable VAR moment occurred in the 59th minute of the Tuesday match. After Egypt had scored, VAR reviewed contact at a different area of the field, and despite no foul being called at the time, Egypt’s goal was subsequently disallowed. This incident fed the perception of VAR controversy that has surrounded the tournament, echoing earlier debates in which other high-profile decisions drew scrutiny, such as a red card given to Folarin Balogun of the USMNT after a separate VAR review.
If Egypt’s goal had stood, the dynamic of the game might have shifted in profound ways that could have altered the final result. As the game wore on, several tight calls leaned in Argentina’s favor, seemingly aiding their late-stage comeback and enabling Messi to complete his team’s rally to victory.
In the aftermath, Coach Hassan voiced his fury, labeling the outcome as “rigged” and telling the referees during the match that “this is unfair,” while also insinuating that one official might have something to hide. The federation’s Wednesday statement stopped short of echoing those exact words but made it clear that it believes its national team was disadvantaged by officiating in Tuesday’s encounter.
The Egyptian FA’s message emphasized that it cannot overlook what it sees as a pattern of refereeing decisions and VAR usage that undermined the fairness of the game. It called for accountability and for ensuring that officiating standards meet the expectations of a tournament of this scale. The federation also urged continued attention to the integrity of the sport, stressing that matches of such consequence deserve transparent and consistent refereeing decisions.
As discussions continue about the fairness of officiating in this fixture and across the tournament, Egypt’s football authorities are seeking clear explanations and a commitment to upholding the standards of refereeing in major international competition. The federation remains resolute that the integrity of the sport must come first, and that all stakeholders—including officials, players, and fans—deserve a fair, transparent, and consistent officiating framework in the FIFA World Cup 2026.