U.S. Media has launched a fierce critique of the Video Assistant Referee system following its controversial decision to disallow a goal for Egypt in their World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match against Argentina. The Pharaohs lost the encounter 3-2 on Tuesday, July 7 at Atlanta Stadium, exiting the tournament earlier than hoped.

Mostafa Zico thought he had scored a potential equalizer in the 57th minute, but French referee François Letexier, after consulting the VAR team of Jerome Brisard, Willy Delajod, and Bram Van Driessche, chalked it off. Officials ruled that Marwan Attia had stepped on Lisandro Martínez's foot during an earlier challenge near an Egyptian corner, long before the goal was scored. Egyptian players also appealed for a penalty after contact between Mohamed Salah and an Argentine defender in the same sequence, but the call was not given.

Scathing Criticism

The Wall Street Journal described the decision as "baffling" and "deeply-unpopular," arguing the system is no longer a safety net but a device that steals joy from the game. The newspaper said in an article titled 'The World Cup’s Awful Instant Replay System Must Be Destroyed': "I thought I’d seen the worst of soccer’s contentious video assisted review technology, until Tuesday’s Argentina-Egypt World Cup round of 16 game, when, late in the second half, the baffling, deeply-unpopular replay doohickey was deployed to disallow a glorious, field-crossing, momentum-shifting Mostafa Ziko goal after determining Egypt had fouled Argentina…roughly 100 yards prior."

It added, "It was not an infringement committed by Zico himself... It was more like a trip through time."

Broader Controversy Context

This incident was not the only VAR controversy at this World Cup. A goal for Croatia's Josko Gvardiol was disallowed in the Portugal vs. Croatia Round of 32 match, Iran had a goal ruled out during the group stage, and Colombia saw a goal chalked off for offside against Portugal. The system, which debuted at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, continues to face widespread debate over its application and impact on the flow of the game.

Despite the loss, Lionel Messi and Argentina's performance was widely praised as they advanced to the quarter-finals with a memorable display. The Egyptian focus, however, shifted to the key call that denied the team a chance to get back into the match. This exit leaves Egypt second in their World Cup qualifying group with 5 points from 3 games, claiming a +2 goal difference having scored 5 and conceded 3.

The Pharaohs now prepare to face Angola at home on September 25 in qualifying, aiming to turn the page on recent disappointment. Fans can track the team's path on our fixtures and standings pages. The team's form in its last five official matches reads one win, three draws, and one loss (LDDWD), including a 1-1 draw with Australia and a 1-1 draw with Iran in the group stage. The current absentee list includes Mahmoud Trézéguet, Mohamed El-Shenawy, and Yasser Ibrahim due to injury. The team will look to get back on track in qualifying when they host Angola in their next fixture on September 25.

Background and full detail: beinsports.com