World Cup 2026: Egypt coach Hossam Hassan fumes over ‘injustice’ after dramatic exit to Argentina

Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan launched a scathing attack on the officiating after his side’s dramatic 3-2 defeat to Argentina, insisting the Pharaohs were “cheated” out of a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals.

Hassan cut a furious figure after watching his team surrender a two-goal advantage against the defending champions in Tuesday’s Round of 16 clash.

The Egyptians thought they had taken complete control of the contest when Mostafa Zico found the net in the first half, but the goal was disallowed following a VAR review that identified a foul on Lisandro Martinez earlier in the build-up.

Zico eventually got his name on the scoresheet, doubling Egypt’s advantage and putting them on course for a historic first appearance in the World Cup quarter-finals.

Argentina, however, mounted a remarkable comeback. Cristian Romero pulled one back before Lionel Messi, who had earlier seen a penalty saved, levelled the score with his eighth goal of the tournament. Enzo Fernandez then completed the turnaround with the winning goal.

Hassan believes Argentina’s decisive goal should never have stood, arguing that Egypt were denied a clear penalty moments earlier after Alexis Mac Allister allegedly pulled Hamdy Fathy’s shirt inside the penalty area.

“I do not want to put it nicely and talk about hard luck. We have been cheated unfairly today, we have suffered injustice,” Hassan told reporters after the match.

The former Egypt international also questioned the use of VAR, claiming key decisions consistently went against his side.

“We haven’t seen respect or fair play. There has not been respect or fair play,” he said.

“A penalty was ruled out, was not even checked by VAR. A second goal was remarkably disallowed. There has not even been a VAR check when we have all seen the image of the shirt being pulled back.”

Still visibly frustrated, Hassan revealed he had lost interest in the remainder of the tournament following what he described as an unjust elimination.

“I am not going to continue following the matches of this World Cup,” he added.

“This is my own way of speaking up.”