An enraged Egypt manager, Hossam Hassan, accused FIFA of protecting its own “interests” by wanting to keep Lionel Messi in the 2026 World Cup, arguing his side suffered an “injustice” in a controversial 3–2 defeat against Argentina, which halted Egypt’s tournament run in the round of 16.
Egypt pushed reigning champion Argentina to the absolute limit, but three unanswered goals from the 79th minute onwards saw La Albiceleste survive and progress to the quarterfinals.