8 July 2026
The Egyptian Football Association affirmed its commitment to defending the rights of the Egyptian national team after the "refereeing injustice" they suffered against Argentina in Tuesday's Round of 16 match of the World Cup. The Egyptian team exited the World Cup finals in a dramatic and heartbreaking fashion, losing 2-3 to Argentina in the final moments of the game.
In an official statement released Wednesday, the Egyptian Football Association expressed its deep dissatisfaction with the refereeing performance in Tuesday's match, led by French referee François Letix, and with certain decisions related to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology, which raised many questions, especially given the widespread criticism from numerous media outlets and sports analysts. The Association emphasized its commitment to upholding the rights of the national team and its determination to take all necessary measures, as permitted by regulations, to ensure fairness and the integrity of the competition.
He added, "Despite the team's exit from the tournament, our pride in what our players achieved remains. They demonstrated commitment and a fighting spirit that earned everyone's respect, and they presented a positive image of Egyptian football."
He explained that what was achieved in this tournament represents an important step in the development of Egyptian football, and that the next phase will witness continued work, in cooperation with state institutions, to implement a comprehensive national project to develop football, expand participation, discover talents, and build new generations that will continue to raise Egypt's name in continental and international arenas.
