Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan launched a scathing attack on the match officials after the Pharaohs’ heartbreaking 3-2 defeat to Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16, insisting his side were denied crucial decisions in a match he believes was overshadowed by controversial refereeing.
The reigning world champions staged a remarkable comeback, scoring three goals in a devastating 13-minute spell to overturn Egypt’s advantage and secure a dramatic place in the quarter-finals, where they will face Switzerland.
However, the thrilling encounter was quickly overshadowed by Hassan’s explosive post-match comments, with the Egypt boss claiming his team had been unfairly treated throughout the contest.
The biggest talking point came moments before Argentina’s decisive goal. Hassan argued that Mohamed Salah should have been awarded a penalty after Julian Alvarez challenged him inside the area, appearing to make contact with the Egyptian captain before winning possession.
Despite loud appeals from the Egyptian players, play continued and VAR did not intervene.
Hassan also pointed to another contentious moment involving Alexis Mac Allister, who appeared to pull back Hamdi Fathy inside the penalty area. Once again, Egypt’s appeals were dismissed, leaving the coaching staff visibly frustrated on the touchline.
Earlier in the match, Egypt also saw a second goal ruled out after a lengthy VAR review. Officials judged that Argentina defender Lisandro Martinez had been fouled during the build-up, denying Zico what would have been a potentially decisive strike.
Those moments formed the basis of Hassan’s post-match criticism.
“Life is unfair. The world is unfair. Okay, but why isn’t there any fairness in sports? I’m not convinced by this outcome and by the way things unfolded in this match,” he said.
“The referee is unfair, God is sufficient for me and the best disposer of affairs. He’s wasting the effort of an entire nation. The cup is directed towards Argentina.”
The Egyptian coach’s frustrations boiled over during stoppage time after Argentina scored the winner.
He was shown a yellow card by French referee Francois Letexier after making a gesture by crossing his arms in front of his chest while protesting the decision.
Speaking further after the match, Hassan questioned both the officiating and the use of VAR.
“We haven’t seen respect or fair play.
“A penalty [for us] was ruled out, it was not even checked by the VAR and our second goal was remarkably, for whatever reason, disallowed.
“We have all seen the shirt pulled back [by Mac Allister] and not even a VAR check.
“There seems to have been pressure on the Argentine side on the referee that has brought about this outcome.”
Hassan also suggested events before kick-off may have influenced the officials’ approach during the match.
“We were the best in everything, but the result was… there were factors influencing it, not external, but internal on the pitch, and external before the match.
“It is clear that the pressure put on the referee before the match by the Argentine side succeeded, because they objected to the referee, bringing up France, and the France national team.”
Despite the controversial ending, Egypt produced one of their strongest performances of the tournament and came within minutes of eliminating the defending champions before Argentina’s late surge turned the contest on its head.
Hassan, however, insisted the result did not reflect the balance of play and admitted the defeat had left him disillusioned with the competition.
“I want to say, in life, anyone who does things the right way will face hardship. As long as you walk the right path, you will suffer. We walked the right path, we suffered, and we were harmed by external factors.”
Argentina’s victory is entirely undeserved. And I promise you, once I return today, I will not watch football in this World Cup at all, because there is no justice in it.
“My personal protest is that I will not watch this World Cup again. When I get back home and back to our country, I am not watching it.”
While Argentina march into the quarter-finals with their title defence intact, Egypt leave the tournament with pride in their performances but lingering frustration over the officiating that Hassan believes denied his team a place among the last eight.
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