The Egyptian football federation said Wednesday it had asked for the officiating team who handled the Pharoahs loss 3-2 last-16 to Argentina to be thrown out of the World Cup.

“Hany Aburida, President of the Egyptian Football Federation, filed a complaint with FIFA, demanding an investigation into the French referee Francois Letexier… after the serious refereeing mistakes committed by the team of referees and double standards, which caused the Egypt team to lose the match and leave the World Cup,” said a statement from the federation.

On Tuesday evening, Letexes ruled out a Mostafa Ziko goal ruled out when they were leading 1-0 after VAR intervened to spot a foul on Lisandro Martinez much earlier in the move.

A few minutes later, Ziko did put Egyptian 2-0 up and on the brink of a place in the last eight for the first time but there was further controversy in added time, after Cristian Romero and Lionel Messi had brought the champions level.

In the build-up to Argentina’s winner scored by Enzo Fernandez, Egypt believe they should have instead been awarded a penalty for a pull by Alexis Mac Allister on Hamdy Fathy.

“Aburida demanded the investigation of the entire team of referees, including the video technology referees, because of the blatant errors and insisting on not reviewing some of the footage that we believe are in favour of the Egyptian national team, and we see in it the Pharaohs’ right to a correct goal and a penalty,” said the Egyptian statement.

It added that the president had also “demanded the exclusion of the referee and the entire crew from the World Cup after investigating these mistakes and proving the crime of discrimination against the Egyptian national team”.

The statement echoed remarks by Egypt coach Hossam Hassan immediately after the game.

“I do not want to put it nicely and talk about hard luck. We have been cheated unfairly today, we have suffered injustice,” Hassan told journalists.

“We haven’t seen respect or fair play. There has not been respect or fair play.”

Hassan told BeIN: “Perhaps they wanted to keep the world champions in the competition. Perhaps they wanted Messi to stay in the running.

“In football, there are sometimes external factors that go beyond the technical aspects. The world champions received support at every level.”

AFP

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Argentina came from two goals down to beat Egypt 3-2 in Atlanta, with Messi missing a first-half penalty before recovering to set up Cristian Romero’s goal, score the equaliser himself, and see Enzo Fernandez complete the comeback deep into stoppage time.

Speaking after the match, Messi said the missed spot-kick weighed on him through the rest of the game.

“I cried because I felt that I let my teammates down, because of the penalty I missed… and the way I took it.

“But thankfully once again, God had something special for me in the end. I’m very happy,” Messi said.

He said the team’s refusal to accept elimination carried them through.

“We didn’t want and didn’t deserve to go home, we could not let it end like that.

“This group really deserved to keep going. We never give up, at all. Never,” he stated.

Messi’s penalty was saved by Egypt goalkeeper, Mostafa Shobeir, in the 20th minute, moments after Yasser Ibrahim had put Egypt ahead.

Egypt extended their lead through Mostafa Zico before Messi turned the game on its head, teeing up Romero and then scoring himself in the 83rd minute to draw Argentina level, before Fernandez struck the winner.

The equaliser was Messi’s eighth goal of the tournament, taking him back to the top of the Golden Boot standings ahead of Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland, and extending his record of scoring in six straight World Cup knockout matches.

Messi was overcome with emotion at the final whistle in what is widely expected to be his last World Cup appearance. Argentina will face Switzerland in the quarter-finals on July 11 in Kansas City.

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France enter this quarterfinal as favourites, but Morocco have given every indication they can make this a far more difficult contest than France’s previous knockout matches. It is also a rematch of the teams’ 2022 World Cup semifinal, won by France.

Date: Thursday, July 9, 2026
Kickoff: 9:00 pm (Nigeria time)
Venue: Gillette Stadium (Boston host venue)
What’s at stake: The winner advances to the semifinal to face the winner of Spain vs Belgium.

Key tactical battle

France’s biggest weapon remains the pace and creativity of attackers led by Kylian Mbappé, supported by Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise. Their ability to exploit space in transition could be decisive.

Morocco will rely on their disciplined defensive shape, quick counterattacks and the attacking runs of Achraf Hakimi. Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou could again play a crucial role if the match becomes a defensive battle.

Team news

France are monitoring the fitness of midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni, who was already missing from the win over Paraguay, while Morocco may be without Ismael Saibari because of injury. Argentina’s Facundo Tello has been appointed as referee for the tie.

What to expect

France have won all five matches at this tournament but were pushed hard in their 1-0 victory over Paraguay. Morocco, meanwhile, are unbeaten, having eliminated the Netherlands on penalties before comfortably beating Canada 3-0. Their confidence and organisation make them genuine contenders rather than underdogs.

Mbappe vs Hakimi

Kylian Mbappé and Achraf Hakimi know each other exceptionally well from their years together at Paris Saint-Germain, but they’ll be fierce rivals in this World Cup quarterfinal.

• Head-to-head battle

The key duel will come when Mbappé attacks France’s left flank, forcing Hakimi to defend one of the world’s most dangerous dribblers. Hakimi has the pace to stay with Mbappé better than almost any full-back, but if he pushes too far forward, France can exploit the space behind him on the counter.

This is one of the most anticipated quarterfinals of the tournament, with France seeking another World Cup title and Morocco aiming to continue its historic run after becoming the first African nation to reach a World Cup semifinal in 2022.