Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan said officiating was unfair and the World Cup is being directed toward Argentina after Egypt lost 3-2 [1].

The accusations follow a high-stakes last-16 match where Egypt held a 2-0 lead [2] before Argentina rallied to win. The claim that FIFA is influencing the tournament's trajectory to favor a star player and a reigning champion raises questions about the integrity of the competition's officiating.

Hassan released his statements on Tuesday, July 7, following the match. He specifically pointed to two penalty claims that were waved away during the game [1, 3]. The match ended with a final score of 3-2 in favor of Argentina [1], decided by a late header from Enzo Fernández [1].

"The referee was unfair and the World Cup is directed towards Argentina," Hassan said [1].

The coach suggested that the tournament's organization is designed to ensure Argentina remains in the competition. He linked this perceived bias to the presence of Lionel Messi, suggesting that the governing body has a vested interest in the player's continued participation.

"FIFA wants Messi to stay; the Cup is directed towards Argentina," Hassan said [3].

Argentina's comeback victory ensures their progression to the next round, while Egypt is eliminated from the tournament. The match was marked by a significant shift in momentum after Egypt's early dominance. Hassan's comments reflect a frustration with the perceived lack of consistency in refereeing decisions during critical moments of the match.

“"The referee was unfair and the World Cup is directed towards Argentina."”

These allegations highlight the intense pressure on officiating in the knockout stages of the World Cup. By claiming the tournament is being 'directed' toward a specific team, Hassan is suggesting a systemic bias rather than a series of isolated human errors. This narrative often surfaces when reigning champions or global icons like Messi are involved, potentially impacting the perceived legitimacy of the tournament's outcome if such claims gain traction among fans and federations.