The Egyptian newspaper Youm7 stated in its pages that the match "became one of the most controversial of the entire tournament".

The Egyptian and Arab press analysed on Wednesday the dramatic elimination of 'The Pharaohs' against Argentina by 3-2 in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup and did so indignant at the referee's performance, which went beyond "the limits of the field".

The Egyptian sports newspaper Kingfut placed the focus of the indignation on the VAR and included on its front page the statements of the coach of the national team, Hossam Hassan, who openly described the refereeing of Frenchman François Letexier as a "scandal".

'Los Faraones' complained about a disallowed goal and two alleged penalties not called in the last stages of the match, which preceded the decisive goal of the Argentines, protests that were seconded by the regional media.

The Egyptian newspaper Youm7 went further and stated in its pages that the match "became one of the most controversial of the entire tournament" due to Letexier's decisions, and assured that the seriousness of what happened has "crossed the limits of the field".

There is no justification

The analysts of the media, former footballers Khaled Gadallah and Bashir al Tabai pointed out that the annulment of Zico's goal "had no justification", while channels such as Bein Sports, which broadcast the championship exclusively for Egypt, agreed with that analysis and pointed out that if the VAR thesis of the foul prior to the start of the play to annul the Egyptian goal is valid, The same should have been done with the last Argentine goal.

In his opinion, the play of Enzo Fernandez's winning goal in the 91st minute started with a penalty committed on Mohamed Salah in the Argentine area.

In the same vein, the Cairo newspaper Ahram headlines that the farewell to the World Cup of the Egyptian team came "in the midst of a refereeing controversy" and speaks of a widespread "indignation" in Arab sport.

In its chronicle, the newspaper calls the foul called to Egyptian Marwan Attia that disallowed Mostafa Zico's goal "doubtful", which, in its opinion, would have sentenced the match.

In addition, Ahram denounces that the referee "forgave" the red card to Nahuel Molina for what they considered "unsportsmanlike conduct" and launched a direct accusation against the television production of the tournament, pointing out that said play "was not shown again during the live broadcast".

In this context, the local media also echo the popular outcry on social networks. They note that the term "bought arbitrator" has led the country's trends in X, forcing Letexier to shut down his account due to the barrage of criticism.

In addition, they report the existence of an online petition demanding the resignation of FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the proliferation of AI-generated memes that satirize FIFA's complicity with the Albiceleste. (Marca, 2026-07-08)