The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has strongly criticised the officiating in Egypt's dramatic 3-2 defeat to Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16, saying it "cannot remain silent" over what it described as unfair and biased refereeing decisions.
In an official statement released after the match, the EFA claimed that several key decisions made by the referee had a direct impact on the outcome of the game. The federation argued that Egypt was denied clear opportunities during crucial moments and questioned the consistency of decisions throughout the match. It also called on FIFA to conduct a thorough review of the officiating and the use of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system.
The match itself was one of the most exciting contests of the tournament. Argentina eventually secured a 3-2 victory after a closely fought encounter in which Egypt twice fought back before conceding the decisive goal. The win sent the defending South American champions into the quarter-finals, while Egypt's impressive World Cup campaign came to an end.
Following the final whistle, Egyptian players and coaching staff were seen expressing their frustration with the referee. Several players surrounded the match officials, while head coach Hossam Hassan later said his side deserved more from the game. He stopped short of directly accusing the officials of influencing the result but admitted that some decisions left his team disappointed.
The EFA's statement stressed that its protest was not intended to undermine Argentina's performance but to defend the principles of fairness and transparency in international football. The federation said it respects FIFA and the refereeing system but believes that mistakes in high-profile matches must be reviewed to protect the integrity of the competition.
FIFA has not yet issued an official response to Egypt's complaint. According to tournament regulations, refereeing decisions made during a match are generally considered final, although FIFA may review the performance of match officials internally.
Argentina, meanwhile, has shifted its focus to the quarter-finals, where it will face Switzerland after continuing its bid to defend the World Cup title. Egypt exits the tournament with praise for its spirited performances despite the controversial ending.
The EFA said it hopes its concerns will encourage greater accountability in future matches, insisting that every team deserves equal treatment on football's biggest stage. Whether FIFA takes further action remains to be seen, but the controversy has become one of the biggest talking points of the tournament.
