Egypt lodges official complaint to FIFA demanding referee be suspended following 3-2 defeat to Argentina

FIFA has received a formal complaint from the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) after Egypt demanded an investigation into referee Francois Letexier and his entire officiating team following their 3-2 defeat to Argentina at the FIFA World Cup 2026. The federation is also seeking the removal of the French officials from the remainder of the tournament, alleging that decisive refereeing errors altered the outcome of the match.

The protest follows

the dramatic comeback victory against Egypt in Atlanta when the South Americans scored two goals to level before Enzo Fernandez scored the winning goal in stoppage time. Some decisions made by match officials, including VAR, cost the Egyptian team crucial moments during the match, Egyptian officials said.

The EFA confirmed the issue had been raised directly with FIFA and not just through the standard post-match review process in a statement issued on Wednesday, July 8.

Hany Aburida, president of the Egyptian football federation, filed a complaint with FIFA, demanding an investigation into the French referee Francois Letexier, the Egyptian federation said in a statement, according to AFP news agency “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.

Egypt's complaint focuses on three incidents it believes had a big impact on the outcome. The federation also challenges the decision to rule out Mostafa Ziko’s goal following a VAR review, protests the decision not to review a challenge on Mohamed Salah inside the penalty area, and insists Alexis Mac Allister’s foul in the build-up to Argentina’s winning goal should have been reviewed.

The federation also said VAR officials did not investigate incidents it believes bolster Egypt’s case.

The statement read that Aburida called for an investigation into the whole team of referees, including the video technology referees, due to 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.

There was an outpouring of emotion at the Egyptian camp at the final whistle with members of the coaching staff having to be restrained from approaching the referee and a number of players in tears on the pitch.

FIFA, in the meantime, has confirmed it has received the complaint from the Egyptian delegation. The governing body has not made any public announcement of disciplinary action and dismissing referees at a World Cup is still an exceptional measure that typically requires evidence of a serious breach of integrity.