World Cup round-up: Egypt file Fifa complaint over Argentina referee and Morocco face France tonight episode artwork

EPISODE · Jul 9, 2026 · 5 MIN

World Cup round-up: Egypt file Fifa complaint over Argentina referee and Morocco face France tonight

from Trending Middle East · host The National News

The fallout from Egypt's 3-2 defeat to Argentina is deepening. The Egyptian Football Association has filed a formal complaint with Fifa, calling for an investigation into referee Francois Letexier and his VAR team over what it described as serious mistakes, double standards and improper use of VAR. The EFA has also asked FIFA to remove the officiating crew from the rest of the tournament. Egypt's team director also claimed the referee threatened Hossam Hassan during the game. Hassan himself said he would not watch another match at this World Cup. The EFA has confirmed it wants Hassan to continue as national team coach. Fifa is also under broader pressure over the Balogun controversy. Seventy-two European lawmakers have written to EU football association heads asking them to support an investigation into Fifa and Infantino, citing the decision-making around Balogun's suspended ban alongside wider governance concerns. Belgium, now preparing for their quarter-final against Spain, have also complained about the quality of their training facilities in Los Angeles. In other news, Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic has stepped down after nine years in charge. Jorge Jesus is the leading candidate to succeed Roberto Martinez as Portugal coach. England have not ruled out Jordan Henderson returning at this tournament after surgery on a broken arm suffered while celebrating against Mexico. Tonight there is one match. Morocco face France in the quarter-finals at midnight UAE time, in what Morocco's coach Mohamed Ouahbi has said is not about repeating 2022 but about winning the World Cup. Ismael Saibari is unlikely to feature due to injury, with Sofiane Rahimi expected to replace him. Mina Rzouki presents Trending Middle East's World Cup round-up, a daily bonus series from The National for the duration of the tournament.

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