FIFA bans Egypt manager Hossam Hassan and Ziko after Argentina defeat

FIFA has suspended Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan and team manager Ibrahim Hassan for three matches, while midfielder Mustafa Abdel Raouf Ziko has been banned for five games following the 3-2 World Cup 2026 defeat by Argentina.

The Egyptian Football Association said each of the three men had also been fined $20,000, equivalent to one million Egyptian pounds.

The sanctions relate to events surrounding Egypt’s last-16 match against Argentina, which saw the African side eliminated from the tournament after a 3-2 loss.

During their suspensions, Hossam Hassan and Ibrahim Hassan will not be allowed to enter the dressing room or have contact with the players. Hossam Hassan will also be prohibited from making telephone calls while watching from the stands.

The three men will miss Egypt’s two matches against Malawi next month in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Hossam and Ibrahim Hassan will then also be absent for Egypt’s first match in March 2027, against Angola.

Ziko’s five-match suspension will remain in force until June next year. As a result, he will miss Egypt’s four remaining 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches, as well as one further fixture.

Egyptian FA seeks full explanation

The Egyptian Football Association said it had received the FIFA Disciplinary Committee’s decisions concerning Hossam Hassan, Ibrahim Hassan and Ziko.

It has asked FIFA for the detailed reasons and full grounds for the sanctions so it can assess the legal position before deciding whether to appeal under the applicable regulations.

FIFA began disciplinary proceedings against the three Egyptians in August. The Egyptian FA subsequently submitted all the explanations and legal responses requested in relation to the statements and incidents connected with the Argentina match.

A source from the Egyptian FA previously told FilGoal.com that the report submitted to FIFA’s disciplinary committee concerning Hossam Hassan included comments made before and after the game.

According to the source, Hassan made “non-sporting” remarks at the pre-match news conference by expressing his support for Palestine and his desire to see it liberated.

The source also said the Egypt manager claimed after the match that Argentina had been favoured in the World Cup because of its commercial appeal as former world champions, and that Egypt had been treated unfairly.

It added that Hassan had spoken of a lack of justice at the tournament, alleged improper external influence on the match and said the principles of fair play promoted by FIFA had been absent.

Egypt protested against refereeing decisions during the last-16 tie. Ziko said afterwards that the referee had been unfair, wasted the team’s efforts and that the tournament was directed.

Hossam Hassan confronted the match official and made a gesture interpreted as saying “no” to racism.

Egypt were knocked out of the World Cup in the last 16 after losing 3-2 to Argentina.