Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan argues with referee Francois Letexier, of France, during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta. AP
The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) announced its rejection of the refereeing decisions during Tuesday’s match against Argentina, thanking Egyptian fans worldwide for their extreme support of the national team at the World Cup.
The Pharaohs were eliminated in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup after surrendering a two-goal lead in a 3-2 frustrating loss to holders Argentina at Atlanta Stadium in a match overshadowed by unfair refereeing decisions.
Seven-time African champions Egypt had a goal ruled out after a VAR review in the 58th minute, while coach Hossam Hassan said his side should have been awarded a penalty before Enzo Fernandez scored Argentina's winner in stoppage time .
Egypt's players, coach, technical staff members, fans, and several football experts blamed the game’s French referee, Francois Letexier, for the undeserved loss.
A few hours after the game, local Egyptian media reported that the EFA said in a statement sent to journalists attending the World Cup in the USA that the federation had already filed a complaint with FIFA against the refereeing crew, requesting an investigation and the refereeing staff's exclusion from the World Cup.
"The Egyptian Football Association cannot remain silent regarding the refereeing decisions witnessed during the match against Argentina, as well as the failure to make appropriate use of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system," the EFA said in a statement on Wednesday morning.
“Several key incidents raised serious concerns and left profound questions about the consistency and fairness of decisions that directly influenced the course of the game,” the statement added.
The EFA also cited the widespread criticism of the refereeing decisions that emerged worldwide after the game, stressing the importance of fair play and equality in such major tournaments.
"Many football experts and specialist analysts, both locally and internationally, have highlighted controversial and influential refereeing incidents during the match," the statement said.
“This underlines the importance of maintaining the highest standards of integrity, fairness, and transparency in match officiating, particularly in a competition of the stature and significance of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
“What occurred during the match has understandably generated widespread frustration among our players, staff, and supporters, who expected the highest standards of officiating on football’s biggest stage.”
The Egyptian football governing body also stressed that defending the national team's rights remains a priority and one of the association's main responsibilities, especially after the frustration caused by the result.
“Defending the rights and interests of the Egyptian national team is not a matter that can be ignored, minimized, or treated as secondary. It is a responsibility that we carry with full conviction and determination. Every player who wears the Egyptian shirt, and every supporter who stands behind the team, deserves fairness, respect, and equal application of the laws of the game,” the statement said.
“While the result is now part of history, our pride in this team remains unchanged. Their courage, commitment, and fighting spirit throughout the tournament earned respect and reflected the true values of Egyptian football,” the EFA statement added.
Exceptional support
The Egyptian Football Association also extended its sincere gratitude to the Egyptian people everywhere for their unwavering support, loyalty, and belief in the national team throughout the FIFA World Cup journey.
Egypt delivered outstanding performances to reach the last 16 for the first time in their history after defeating Australia 4-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time.
The Pharaohs opened their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Belgium before beating New Zealand 3-1 for their first-ever win at the prestigious tournament. They finished second in Group G after drawing 1-1 with Iran.
“The exceptional support shown by millions of Egyptians, both at home and around the world, was a source of immense pride and motivation for our players and delegation. The national team represented Egypt with honour, determination, and courage, delivering performances that reflected the spirit and character of our nation,” the EFA statement said.
“To Egypt’s loyal fans, thank you for being the heart and strength of the national team. Your support will always inspire us as we continue working to build a future worthy of Egyptian football and its great supporters,” the statement concluded.
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