Are Argentina being treated favourably at World Cup?

What the report says

BBC Sport reported that Argentina’s run at the 2026 World Cup has drawn scrutiny after Egypt alleged refereeing bias and preferential treatment for Lionel Messi following their 3-2 last-16 defeat. Egypt coach Hossam Hassan said his team had been treated unjustly and suggested there may have been a desire for the defending champions, and Messi, to remain in the tournament. Egypt also asked Fifa to remove the match officials from the competition, citing what it viewed as serious errors and inconsistent standards.

The BBC’s analysis reviewed several disputed incidents. Against Egypt, a goal by Mostafa Zico was disallowed after VAR spotted a foul by Marwan Attia on Lisandro Martinez earlier in the move, while Egypt also felt they should have had a penalty before Argentina’s stoppage-time winner. The report described the decisions as controversial but said they did not amount to proof of a conspiracy. Argentina later benefited from a VAR intervention against Switzerland that led to Breel Embolo’s second yellow card, a use of “mistaken identity” that the article noted would not align with Uefa guidance on simulation reviews.

BBC Sport also pointed to decisions in Argentina’s semi-final win over England, including Enzo Fernandez avoiding punishment for an early challenge and debate over whether Messi fouled Djed Spence before the winning goal. The article added wider context, including questions over Argentine officials being assigned to France’s quarter-final against Morocco and an earlier Messi challenge that was not punished. Overall, the piece framed the debate as a matter of perception and contentious refereeing rather than established evidence of favouritism.