Egypt's 3–2 exit to Argentina erupts into referee scandal

Egypt falls 3–2 to Argentina, FA demands referee sent home

Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Ziko had Egypt 2–0 up against the world champions. Then it unraveled. Three Argentina goals in 13 minutes, and your World Cup was over (2) (7) (11).

The Egyptian FA is not letting this go quietly. They have filed a formal complaint with FIFA, demanding referee François Letexier and the VAR team be sent home over "serious mistakes" that marred Tuesday's Round of 16 tie (9). The FA questioned the "fairness" of the 3–2 defeat (2) (4) (6).

Collina pushes back on Egyptian accusations

Pierluigi Collina, FIFA's head of referees, has responded to the Egyptian coaching staff's complaints about the VAR decisions (1). He insisted referees are "not influenced" but offered explanations for the VAR calls that stood during the match.

That will do little to cool the anger in Cairo.

Egyptian media calls Letexier a "bought referee"

The tone in Egypt is blunt. Multiple outlets have labeled François Letexier a "bought referee" in the aftermath of the Argentina match (5). The demand from the FA is specific: sanctions against the French official (4).

Deschamps twist: France boss praises Letexier

Didier Deschamps added fuel to the fire ahead of France's match against Morocco. He said he hopes the Argentine referee will be "as good" as Letexier was in the Egypt–Argentina game (12).

New York mayor: "Egypt was robbed"

Zohran Mamdani, the mayor of New York City, did not hold back. His verdict: "Egypt was robbed" (10).

Salah's next move comes into focus

With the World Cup run finished, attention turns to Mohamed Salah's club future. Reports suggest his plan for the next chapter is now clear after Liverpool and the exit in the Round of 16 (7).

Fan reactions

Egyptian fans on Reddit are united in fury. The BBC's reporting on Egypt's demand to have officials removed spread fast across r/soccer, where supporters rallied around the FA's formal complaint link. Deschamps' praise for Letexier landed badly, with fans calling it a deliberate provocation link.