Are Argentina, Messi Being Treated Favourably At World Cup?

Former AFCON champions Egypt have accused FIFA of bias in favour of Argentina and of showing favouritism towards their talisman, Lionel Messi, after a contentious 3-2 defeat to the reigning world champions in the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup.

Speaking after the match, Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan questioned FIFA’s impartiality, suggesting: “Perhaps they wanted to keep the world champions in the competition. Perhaps they wanted Messi to stay in the running.”

BBC Sport examined whether there is any substance to the theory that the tournament is being tilted towards Argentina.

The report notes it is easy to see why Egypt felt aggrieved after Tuesday’s 3-2 loss.

The Pharaohs saw a goal disallowed following a VAR review. They also argued that Argentina’s winner should have been chalked off and that they should have been awarded a penalty instead.

Mostafa Zico’s fine strike was ruled out after Marwan Attia was penalised for stepping on Lisandro Martinez’s foot in the build-up.

Egypt felt they had two credible penalty claims before Enzo Fernández headed home the decisive goal.

Hamdi Fathy went down claiming he was held by Alexis Mac Allister, inconclusive on replays, while Mohamed Salah believed he was tripped by Julian Alvarez.

There were parallels between the Martinez and Salah incidents, with foot-on-foot contact in both, but not enough to merit a penalty.

Egypt’s case for having the goal overturned would have been stronger had Salah been outside the box. In that scenario, VAR would only have been assessing a foul — as with Martinez — rather than adjudicating on a penalty.

BBC Sport’s verdict: “Controversial? Absolutely. But it is hardly proof of a conspiracy in favour of Messi.”

Entire On-Field and VAR Crew From Argentina for France Match

Meanwhile, France will face an all-Argentine officiating team in Thursday’s World Cup quarter-final against Morocco.

For the first time at this tournament, the entire on-field crew — referee, both assistants, fourth official and reserve — hails from the same country.

That country is Argentina. FIFA later confirmed that the lead VAR would also be Argentine.

In Facundo Tello’s two previous appointments, the fourth official and reserve were drawn first from Saudi Arabia, then from Colombia.

The argument runs that Argentina would welcome a French exit. After all, Les Bleus are tournament favourites.

This is one of the biggest matches of Tello’s career — his second successive World Cup quarter-final. A referee of his standing is not going to jeopardise his integrity.

Yet perception matters, and appointing an all-Argentine team for a France quarter-final is hardly a good look.

Messi Escapes “Obvious” Red Card

Earlier in the tournament, Lionel Messi escaped a possible red card and was not even booked for his challenge on Algeria captain Aissa Mandi.

Had he been sent off, Messi would not have scored his second and third goals against Algeria, nor his brace against Austria, as he would have been suspended.

He would also have missed the final group game against Jordan, where he scored again.

That would wipe five of the eight goals he has netted in the tournament.

Argentina Have Committed More Fouls Than England, But Fewer Yellow Cards

The quarter-finals bring disciplinary jeopardy. Seventeen players are one booking away from missing a potential semi-final.

Argentina face little risk, with only Gonzalo Montiel walking a tightrope ahead of a possible last-four meeting with England or Norway.

England head coach Thomas Tuchel has four players on a yellow, including key men Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice.

Argentina have committed more fouls than England, yet has collected half as many yellow cards.

That could suggest Argentina are treated more leniently relative to the fouls they commit.

Argentina Have Been Awarded More Penalties

When Argentina lifted the World Cup in 2022, they set a record along the way.

The five penalties they were awarded were the most any side had ever received in a single tournament.

In 2026, they again top the charts with three spot-kicks — though Messi has missed two, against Austria and Egypt.

England and Switzerland have been awarded two apiece, with Belgium, France and Norway on one.

FIFA Draw Tweak Handed Argentina Handed Kindest Path Towards Final

In December, FIFA tweaked the 2026 World Cup draw to keep the top four-ranked nations — France, Argentina, Spain and England — in separate quarters.

The change meant they could only meet in the semi-finals if each topped their group, which they did. France and Spain are in one half of the draw and on course for a semi-final clash, with Argentina and England in the other.

The aim was to avoid heavyweight ties early in the knockouts and give marquee nations a smoother path.

So far, the last 16 and quarters have featured only two top-10 clashes: Netherlands v Morocco and Spain v Portugal.

Argentina appear to have the easiest route. After narrow 3-2 wins over Cape Verde (67th) and Egypt (29th), they face Switzerland (19th) in the quarters.

England will not meet a top-10 side until a possible semi-final with Argentina, having beaten 14th-ranked Mexico in the last 16.

Spain beat 5th-ranked Portugal and next play 9th-ranked Belgium, while France take on 7th-ranked Morocco.

Overall, Argentina have benefited most from the draw structure.