Egypt’s Pharaohs collapse against Argentina in the World Cup 2026 round‑of‑16, losing 2‑3 after leading by two goals until the 79th minute. The defeat sparked a wave of anger across the squad and its supporters.

What happened in the match?

Egypt dominated early, scoring two quick goals, but Argentina equalised and then took the lead with a third. The referee disallowed a third Egyptian penalty goal, prompting accusations of unfair officiating. Coach Hossam Hassan claimed "the game isn’t fair" and that pressure on the referee influenced the result.

Why do Egyptians suspect biased refereeing?

Hassan suggested that "marketing" might have wanted Messi to stay in the tournament, noting the 12 pm kickoff as unsuitable for players. Team captain Mostafa "Zico" wept on live TV, calling the referee "unfair" and insisting "the cup is aimed at Argentina". These remarks fuel doubts about the integrity of the officiating.

What’s Egypt’s situation after the exit?

Following the loss, Egypt’s most recent friendly ended 1‑1 with Belgium on 2026‑06‑15. Their recent form reads 0 wins, 3 draws, 2 losses in the last five games. Additionally, three key players — Hamdi Fathy, Mohamed Abdelmonem, and Ahmed Abou El Fotouh — remain sidelined with injuries.

What lies ahead for the Pharaohs?

Despite the elimination, Hassan remains proud of his side and says "the Arab nation will come back stronger". The focus now shifts to rehabilitating injured players and improving performance in upcoming friendlies. Fans hope for a positive response in the next continental qualifiers.