Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan turning his back on 2026 FIFA World Cup after 'unjust' decisions in last-16 loss to Argentina
Updated 07/07/2026 at 23:42 GMT+1
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Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan lashed out at the officials following his side's FIFA World Cup exit. The African nation were beaten at the last-16 stage as they suffered a controversial and dramatic 3-2 defeat to defending champions Argentina in Atlanta.
‘Everything went against us’ - Ziko questions refereeing as Argentina comeback stuns Egypt
Video credit: SNTV
The Pharaohs had taken a shock 1-0 lead thanks to Yasser Ibrahim's first-half strike.
Mostafa Ziko then had a goal contentiously ruled out by VAR and, although he would find the target shortly afterwards, Egypt slipped to a 3-2 defeat.
Things could have been very different though, especially as they had a huge shout for a penalty moments before Enzo Fernandez's added-time winner.
It means they have missed out on a first World Cup quarter-final and Hassan was quick to blame referee Francois Letexier for his side's exit.
In a heated post-match press conference, the manager said: "I'm going home and won't be watching any more games from the tournament.
"What happened to us wasn't fair. We should have had a penalty, a goal was disallowed, and I don't know why it was disallowed.
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"Even if the goals came from mistakes, the biggest mistake is not getting what you're entitled to from those responsible for making the decisions.
"I'm the type of person who hates losing. And when it's a defeat that feels unjust like today's, I can only tell the fans not to be upset. We wanted so much to give them more joy," he added.
"But what made me happy was that my players followed the game plan on many occasions and worked very well."
Ziko backed up the thoughts of his manager, as he said: "The match was in our hands and slipped away at the last moment. Strange things happened on the pitch. So, thank God. I am proud of every player and every single person in this squad, and proud of the Egyptian people who followed us all over the world.
"We were hard done by [the referee] today and everyone saw that. I won't talk about something like this. We were winning 2-0. After the 2-0 result, everything went against us and worked against us.
"I don't even know why the second goal was disallowed, I don't see any reason for it. But we must look for a solution so that a second goal doesn't come. He wanted to disallow the third one too, but thank God, God didn't grant him success."
'Enjoy the moment'
While Egypt were left seething by the result, Lionel Messi was treated like a hero.
The 39-year-old played a central role in the comeback, teeing up Cristian Romero for his side's first goal, before scoring the equaliser with just seven minutes left.
That paved the way for Enzo Fernandez's winner and led to jubilant scenes on the pitch.
Messi, who netted a record-extending 21st World Cup goal, was given the 'bumps' treatment by his team-mates, as he was thrown up in the air. The Inter Miami star was left visibly moved by the evening too, as he left the field in tears.
Team-mate Lautaro Martinez, who came on as a second-half sub, says it was no more than the forward deserved.
"I keep to myself everything he shows us day in and day out, because it’s incredible," he said.
"He is our guide, our role model and our leader. Seeing him get emotional was moving, too. I told him right there on the pitch to enjoy the moment because he deserved it.
"And that we would keep giving our all, for ourselves, but above all for him, since this is his last World Cup and he has given us so much."
The Barcelona icon has now scored in six successive World Cup knockout matches, nine successive World Cup games and registered nine World Cup assists - nobody can match him for any of those achievements.
Argentina's comeback was also a notable one. Having trailed 2-0 after 78 minutes, it is the latest a team has ever reversed a two-goal deficit and won at a World Cup without the need for extra-time.
They are now into a fifth quarter-final from the past five editions of the tournament.
"We are obviously very happy with the match we pulled off," said forward Julian Alvarez, who has been the subject of much transfer speculation this tournament.
"I think it’s one of the most important or best matches the Argentine national team has played in recent years, given how everything unfolded and the stage of the World Cup we’re at.
"I want to thank everyone who was here today for supporting and cheering us on, just as they always do, as well as those cheering from home.
"Their affection and support always reach us and mean a great deal. We truly feel like we’re playing at home here, and that gives us tremendous strength.
"We will always give our all on the pitch, just as we did today, in the previous match, and always, as we strive to represent the team in the best possible way."
Should Argentina defend their title, they would become the first nation to do so since Brazil back in 1962. Messi, meanwhile, is chasing his second crown on the world's biggest stage.
Having been minutes away from exiting for the final time, he is on course for yet more glory.
After all he has achieved in his career - one that is now into its third decade - one more triumph would be the icing on the cake.
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