# Furious Egyptians rant World Cup is ‘RIGGED’ as manager claims FIFA ‘wanted Lionel Messi to stay in the tournament’ after controversial VAR decisions in dramatic defeat

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/furious-egyptians-rant-world-cup-is-rigged-as-manager-claims-fifa-wanted-lionel-messi-to-stay-in-the-tournament-after-controversial-var-decisions-in-dramatic-defeat/
- Published: 2026-07-08T06:01:39+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-01T21:36:23+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/sport/football/article-15960229/Egypt-claim-FIFA-wanted-Messi-stay-tournament-defeat.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: Americas, Football, Sport, World

## Key points

- Egypt's manager accuses FIFA of rigging the World Cup for Messi.
- Argentina came from 2-0 down to win 3-2 in stoppage time.
- Egyptian staff clashed with the referee; a coach was sent off.

## Summary

Egypt manager Hossam Hassan has accused FIFA of rigging the 2026 World Cup, claiming the governing body wanted Lionel Messi to remain in the tournament, after a series of contentious refereeing and VAR decisions went against his side during Argentina's late comeback in Atlanta on Tuesday. The outburst matters because it levels a serious integrity accusation at football's world governing body during one of the tournament's most dramatic knockout ties.

Argentina, who trailed 2-0 with around 12 minutes plus stoppage time remaining, staged a remarkable turnaround with late goals from Cristian Romero, Lionel Messi and Enzo Fernandez to win 3-2. Fernandez's 93rd-minute winning header sparked chaos on the touchline, with Egyptian staff confronting referee Francois Letexier, goalkeeping coach Saafan El-Sagheer being shown a red card, and Hassan having to be pulled away from the official. Argentina now progress and are set to meet Switzerland, who reached the quarter-finals for the first time in 72 years.

---
Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.