Hossam Hassan, the passionate coach of Egypt, expressed his frustration to the media following his team’s heartbreaking 3-2 defeat against Argentina in the knockout stage. Just moments away from achieving a monumental upset, Egypt led 2-0 against the reigning champions. However, Argentina mounted a stunning comeback, scoring three goals in just 13 minutes and abruptly ending Egypt’s dream run.
The match was an emotional upheaval for Egyptian supporters, who initially celebrated the prospect of victory but swiftly descended into heartbreak and outrage over perceived biased officiating. Hassan, during the match, made the crossed “Perhaps they wanted to keep the world champions in the competition?” gesture, symbolizing FIFA’s anti-discrimination stance, and later accused FIFA of favoring Argentina. He argued that a second goal for Egypt was unjustly ruled out after a VAR review for a foul that took place far from the action, and he insisted that a penalty should have been awarded before Argentina’s final goal.
“Perhaps they wanted Messi to stay in the running?” Hassan remarked on Qatari broadcaster beIN Sports post-match. “The World Cup was promised to Messi 3000 years ago,”
His comments ignited a wave of conspiracy theories and allegations of corruption. French referee François Letexier became the target of intense scrutiny, with restaurants and cafes even announcing bans on him. His Wikipedia page was vandalized, inaccurately labeling him as Jewish, which sparked outrage among fans who believed Egypt’s defeat was part of a broader conspiracy linked to Hassan’s vocal support for Palestine during the tournament.
As Argentina advanced, the conspiracy theories intensified. Reports emerged that the Argentinian federation was under FBI investigation for alleged money laundering. Controversies also surrounded VAR decisions, including one that resulted in a red card for Switzerland’s top striker in the quarter-finals. Accusations of corruption continued to follow Argentina with every victory.
“unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable” read a caption on an Instagram post featuring a montage of Messi’s visits to Israel with his clubs. This post garnered nearly 15,000 likes. Another post claimed, “left profound questions about the consistency and fairness of decisions that directly influenced the course of the game” which attracted over 275,000 likes. A fan-led petition demanding FIFA disqualify Argentina has amassed more than 12 million signatures.
VAR technology has been at the center of numerous controversies during this World Cup. Critics argue that its application is inconsistent and often used beyond its intended purpose, leading to contentious scenarios such as Egypt’s disallowed goal against Argentina and Croatia’s disallowed goal against Portugal, which was ruled offside due to a ball sensor’s detection of a touch that was invisible to the naked eye.
The tournament’s most contentious moment occurred when US striker Folarin Balogun received a red card after VAR intervention for a foul missed by the referee in real time. Controversy deepened when FIFA reversed Balogun’s suspension following pressure from Donald Trump, who later boasted about his influence in the matter. Given FIFA’s previous stance that red card suspensions were non-appealable, this unexpected decision shattered the illusion of integrity in the tournament.
FIFA has come under scrutiny for being influenced by political pressure from one of the tournament’s host nations. UEFA described the Balogun decision as “corrupt refereeing decisions” while the International Olympic Committee faces calls to investigate whether FIFA president Gianni Infantino violated rules regarding political neutrality.
The Balogun incident is not without precedent. In November 2025, FIFA suspended part of Cristiano Ronaldo’s ban for a red card during a World Cup qualifier, allowing him to participate in the group stage matches. This act highlighted FIFA’s willingness to accommodate one of the tournament’s biggest draws, especially one capable of driving ticket sales. With FIFA implementing dynamic pricing for this World Cup, raising prices based on real-time demand, it is no surprise that questions about the tournament’s integrity have arisen.
The situation was further complicated by the proliferation of AI-generated images and videos on social media, contributing to the spread of disinformation about the tournament. Manipulated images included one of a man resembling Adolf Hitler celebrating a goal against Curaçao and another showing outgoing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in a Croatia jersey. An image of an Iranian footballer holding a pink backpack during a World Cup match paid tribute to the 168 schoolgirls killed in a US airstrike on Iran. Additionally, a fabricated video depicted Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman making racist remarks after Morocco eliminated his team.
These altered images and videos exploit emotional responses, blurring the lines between reality and fabrication while ensnaring viewers in a continuous cycle of outrage fueled by racism, xenophobia, and disinformation. Some of these deceptive posts may capitalize on genuine concerns, tapping into the politically charged atmosphere and the feelings of injustice prevalent in everyday life.
Before the World Cup, Infantino praised Trump despite the president’s controversial actions regarding the Iran war and strained geopolitical relations with fellow co-hosts. Infantino even created a peace prize to appease Trump after he was overlooked for the Nobel Peace Prize. For Infantino, the US represents the pinnacle of his football vision, a market promising unprecedented revenue and spectacle, disregarding FIFA’s own ethical guidelines.
Due to US visa restrictions, Iran’s team had to travel between their training base in Mexico and the US for matches. Players described their tournament experience as a “disaster.” Consequently, when Iran failed to progress while one of the host nations engaged in military actions against them, many perceived it as a significant injustice. This sentiment was further exacerbated by the Balogun situation, leading to an increase in conspiracy theories.
In the context of the Egypt-Argentina match, it is vital to recognize the significance of what Egypt represented in the tournament. The national team became a beacon of collective joy, not just for Egyptians but for millions across the Arab world and Africa. Hassan raised a Palestinian flag after their victory in the round of 32 and emphasized that anyone lacking empathy for Palestinians had lost their humanity. The Egyptian Committee for the Reconstruction of Gaza organized public viewing events for displaced Palestinian families to watch Egypt’s matches. Tragically, the committee’s director, Mohammed Fawaz al-Wahidi, was killed in an Israeli strike just hours before Egypt faced Argentina.
For a brief period, Egypt’s journey became more than just a football story; it encapsulated the hopes of some of the world’s most oppressed peoples. Therefore, when Egypt squandered their lead against Argentina amidst controversial officiating, the pain and anger resonated deeper than the mere result. For those accustomed to enduring injustice, it felt like a stark reminder that even on the grandest football stage, the rules are not equitable.
Following the match, the Egyptian Football Association issued a statement declaring that it “cannot remain silent” in light of a series of referee decisions that raised serious doubts about the consistency and fairness of the officiating that directly impacted the game. Simultaneously, allegations of corruption peaked as the Argentinian federation fell victim to a cyber-attack, with hackers sending emails from official accounts admitting to “corrupt refereeing decisions.” Conspiracy theories proliferated on social media, asserting that the match was fixed, casting Argentina as the antagonist.
The World Cup is not isolated from the rest of the world. Football serves as a reflection of societal dynamics, both good and bad. The conspiracy theories surrounding this tournament are not unique; they represent broader societal issues, including the influence of social media, economic instability, and political divisions. From QAnon to anti-vaccine conspiracies and rising antisemitism and Islamophobia, these are all part of a larger discourse.
The World Cup magnifies these tensions, showcasing them on the largest global stage. In doing so, football reflects the world that observes it.
- Karim Zidan writes a regular newsletter on the intersection of sports and politics.
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