Egypt criticizes VAR after dramatic World Cup defeat to Argentina

The Egyptian Football Association on Wednesday criticized the referees’ decisions in Egypt’s dramatic 3-2 defeat by Argentina in the World Cup round of 16, saying it would not remain silent on what it described as the improper use of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system.

Egypt looked on course for one of the tournament’s biggest upsets when it led defending champion Argentina 2-0 with 11 minutes to go on Tuesday but conceded three late goals and crashed out.

The EFA said several decisions during the match had directly affected the outcome.

“Several significant incidents raised serious concerns and raised profound questions about the consistency and fairness of decisions that directly affected the conduct of the game,” the federation said in a statement on social media.

“A number of football experts and specialist analysts, both locally and internationally, have highlighted controversial and influential refereeing incidents during the match.

“This underlines the importance of maintaining the highest standards of integrity, fairness and transparency when officiating matches, especially in a competition of the stature and significance of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.”

READ ALSO:Argentina again puts together an escape, wins 3-2 and reaches the last eight

Much of the controversy centered on a goal by Egyptian Mostafa Zico in the 62nd minute that would have doubled his side’s lead. The goal was disallowed after a VAR review revealed a foul by an Egyptian player in the build-up.

Egypt’s frustration increased late in the match when calls for a penalty after Hamdy Fathy went down following a challenge were waved away, before Argentina took to the pitch and scored the winner in the 92nd minute.

Coach Hossam Hassan and captain Mohamed Salah expressed their disappointment after the match, while several former players and television pundits also questioned the referee.

“It’s certainly not within the remit of VAR to assess this,” former England goalkeeper Rob Green said on Fox’s broadcast of the match, referring to the foul that led to Zico’s goal being overturned.

“It’s a full length of the field.”

Former England captain Alan Shearer also criticized the decision-making process.

«It’s either both fouls or neither. But they told us they won’t referee again,» the Premier League’s all-time top scorer wrote on social media.

Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright pointed to another incident involving Salah.

«If you want to pull it back for Argentina on the edge of the penalty area to disallow a goal, you have to pull it back for this goal with Mo Salah. He’s caught. Whatever we say, it could be minimal, he’s caught and then they go to the other side,» Wright said on ITV.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher also questioned the consistency of the VAR request.

“If that had been in the Premier League, LaLiga or Serie A, it would have been a goal even after VAR review,” he said. According to media reports, EFA president Hany Abo Rida has filed an official complaint against French referee Francois Letexier and his assistants.

FIFA has not yet responded to any Reuters request for comment.

Published on July 8, 2026