Egypt's Mostafa Zico, Hossam Hassan call out World Cup referee in rants after 'rigged' Argentina loss

Egypt's Mostafa Zico, Hossam Hassan call out World Cup referee in rants after 'rigged' Argentina loss originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Egypt suffered a brutal loss in the Round of 16 on Tuesday, as they blew a two-goal lead to Argentina to fall 3-2 in the match. However, Egypt believes that the team was on the wrong end of bad officiating throughout the match.

One of the lasting images of the match was when an Egypt goal was taken off the board after VAR stepped in to review the play. While Egypt did add on another goal after that call was made, Argentina's comeback late in the match might not have happened if that call stood.

With Egypt in such frustration, a few of the team's biggest names pulled no punches in their criticism of the referee. Argentina is the defending champion with the consensus best player in the world, and that is at the center of Egypt's issues.

Here's why Egypt was so upset with the referee.

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Egypt's Mostafa Zico, Hossam Hassan call out referee after Argentina loss

After Egypt's 3-2 loss against Argentina, manager Hossam Hassan and forward Mostafa Zico criticized French referee Francois Letexier for the way he officiated the game.

"The referee is unfair, God is sufficient for me and the best disposer of affairs. He's wasting the effort of an entire nation," Zico said after the match. "The cup is being given to Argentina."

🚨🚨🚨 BREAKING - MOSTAFA ZIKO:

🗣 "The referee is unfair, God is sufficient for me and the best disposer of affairs. He's wasting the effort of an entire nation."

"The cup is being given to Argentina."
pic.twitter.com/Um7MJkevpU

— Salah Updates #WorldCup (@SalahUpdates) July 7, 2026

Hassan went into more depth with his criticism of the referees, saying FIFA wants Argentina to advance because it's better for business.

"I will say what's on my mind regardless of the consequence, this was clearly a rigged match and the whole world saw it" Hassan said "And I want to say one more thing, if they want them [Argentina] to win so bad, why call everyone to come and participate?"

🚨🗣 Egypt's Coach Hossam Hassan couldn't control himself after full-time:

"I will say what's on my mind regardless of the consequence, this was clearly a rigged match and the whole world saw it"

"And I want to say one more thing, if they want them [Argentina] to win so bad,… pic.twitter.com/yrGVhXWGLQ

— David Ornside (@David_Ornside) July 7, 2026

MORE: Where Argentina's comeback ranks among best in World Cup history

What happened to Egypt vs. Argentina?

Egypt vs. Argentina was full of controversial calls, none more so than an Egypt goal being taken off the board. Zico seemed to score Egypt's second goal on a breakaway to put Argentina on the brink, but the goal was called off after VAR when the referee determined a foul on the other end of the field instigated the breakaway.

After review, Egypt is called for a foul and the goal is disallowed. pic.twitter.com/9KJiFgVjMI

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 7, 2026

After VAR review, Egypt's goal is disallowed due to a foul in the offensive build up pic.twitter.com/WB7WgVGpQL

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 7, 2026

However, Egypt's issue with the referee went beyond this play, as there were other calls in the game that the team questioned.

Salah is disappointed that the referee keeps helping Messi and Argentina. Salah was through on goal and the referee blew a foul against Egypt for Parades failing to get the ball.
Truly Pathetic. pic.twitter.com/CATa9mosTOhttps://t.co/EPi9vRYdAr

— Nuel (@LfcNuel) July 7, 2026

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan was given a yellow card late in the match, after which he used a gesture meant to signal racist incidents.

🇪🇬🇦🇷 Egypt coach Hossam Hassan could be in hot water with FIFA after making a cross gesture following a referee’s yellow card in the Argentina match.

Hassan has been vocal and expressive throughout the tournament, this one might cross the line on their rules against certain… pic.twitter.com/vlmhXGu1i0

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) July 7, 2026