Egypt Files FIFA Complaint Over Refereeing in 3–2 World Cup Defeat to Argentina

The Egyptian Football Association has lodged a formal complaint with FIFA following Egypt’s dramatic 3–2 defeat to Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16.

The complaint focuses on the performance of French referee François Letexier and his officiating team. Egypt has alleged that key decisions, including the use of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology, were inconsistent and affected the outcome of the match.

What Egypt Is Questioning

The Egyptian Football Association reportedly raised concerns about several moments from the match, including:

• A goal disallowed after a VAR review
• A late penalty appeal involving Mohamed Salah
• The officiating approach in the build-up to Argentina’s winning goal
• Alleged double standards in decision-making and disciplinary action

Egypt had led 2–0 before Argentina completed a late comeback to win 3–2 and advance to the quarter-finals.

Egypt Requests Investigation

The complaint reportedly asks FIFA to investigate the referee and the wider officiating team. Egypt has also sought action regarding their continued involvement in the tournament.

FIFA’s refereeing chief, Pierluigi Collina, has rejected claims of bias, while also warning that such allegations can lead to threats against referees and their families. FIFA had not announced a public decision on Egypt’s complaint at the time of reporting.

Why VAR Decisions Remain Under Scrutiny

The incident has added to wider debate about VAR transparency, consistency, and communication in major football tournaments. While VAR is intended to support match officials in correcting clear and obvious errors, controversial reviews can still leave teams and supporters questioning how decisions are reached.

Conclusion

Egypt’s complaint has placed the Argentina–Egypt match under further scrutiny. The final outcome of the complaint will depend on FIFA’s review and any official response it chooses to issue.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is based on available reports at the time of publication. The image is AI-generated and is just for reference.