FIFA’s Chief Refereeing Officer, Pierluigi Collina, has firmly defended the integrity of match officials at the FIFA World Cup 2026 following Egypt’s strong criticism of the refereeing during their dramatic Round of 16 defeat to Argentina.
The controversy erupted after the Pharaohs surrendered a 2-1 lead late in the match, eventually losing 3-2 to the defending champions.
Egypt’s Football Association responded by demanding that French referee Francois Letexier and his officiating team be removed from the tournament, claiming a series of costly errors influenced the outcome.
Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan also questioned several decisions made during the encounter and suggested the reigning champions had benefited from favourable officiating.
The fallout prompted FIFA’s refereeing chief to publicly address the growing criticism, insisting that the integrity of World Cup officials should never be questioned.
Speaking through FIFA’s official channels, Collina strongly rejected suggestions that referees could be influenced by outside pressure.
“Of course, constructive discussion about decisions will always be part of football, but unfounded allegations have no place in our sport.
“Nobody can question the integrity of the FIFA World Cup match officials. When this happens, it may provoke reactions that lead to threats against them and their families. This is not right.
“Equally, nobody can claim that FIFA refereeing can be influenced by anyone, not even by the FIFA president.”
His comments also come shortly after another controversial incident involving the United States.
Debate intensified after FIFA suspended a one-match ban handed to USA forward Folarin Balogun following reported intervention from U.S. President Donald Trump, who had raised concerns with FIFA president Gianni Infantino over the striker’s red card.
Although unrelated to Egypt’s defeat, the incident fuelled wider discussions about fairness and consistency in officiating throughout the tournament.
Egypt’s frustration centred around three major incidents during the closing stages of the contest.
The first came when the Pharaohs had what appeared to be a crucial goal ruled out after Marwan Attia was judged to have stepped on Lisandro Martinez’s foot in the build-up.
The decision followed a VAR review, much to the disappointment of the Egyptian bench.
Later, Egypt believed Alexis Mac Allister illegally pulled back Hamdi Fathy during Argentina’s attacking sequence before Enzo Fernandez eventually scored the winning goal in stoppage time.
Moments earlier, Mohamed Salah also appealed for a penalty after a challenge from Julian Alvarez inside the penalty area.
Play continued, VAR did not intervene, and Argentina quickly launched the counterattack that sealed their victory.
Collina insisted every controversial moment had been carefully reviewed under FIFA’s officiating protocols.
Regarding the disallowed Egyptian goal, he maintained the decision was correct.
“We believe that a foul is a foul. Regardless of whether the foul appears ‘obvious,’ if the referee did not see it on the field of play, the VAR can intervene.”
He also defended the review process leading up to Argentina’s winning goal.
“Equally, if no foul is identified in the build-up to a goal, the VAR will advise the referee accordingly.”
Collina added: “Stepping on an opponent’s foot is a foul, whereas a defender who touches the ball first and then makes normal football contact has not committed a foul. Again, an example of this came at the end of the same game.
“The referee and the VAR deemed it normal football contact between Egypt no. 10 Mohamed Salah and Argentina no. 10 Julian Alvarez.”
Despite Egypt’s protests, FIFA has shown no indication that any disciplinary action will be taken against Letexier or his officiating team.
Collina’s statement reinforces FIFA’s confidence in its referees and the VAR system, stressing that while debate over decisions remains part of football, allegations questioning officials’ integrity cross a line.
With the World Cup now entering the quarter-final stage, FIFA will hope the focus returns to football rather than refereeing controversies, even as Egypt continue to reflect on a heartbreaking exit that remains one of the tournament’s most fiercely debated matches.
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