New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani Claims Egypt Was 'Robbed' in World Cup Loss to Argentina

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani sparked controversy by publicly supporting Egypt following their dramatic 3-2 defeat to Argentina in the 2026 World Cup round of 16. Speaking during a public address on a new city bus transportation plan on July 7, Mamdani praised the initiative's time-saving benefits before stating, "It also means agreeing with your friends that Egypt was robbed yesterday." This comment aligned him with numerous fans, analysts, and football figures who criticized the refereeing decisions in the match.

The Egyptian Football Association has formally filed a complaint against the officiating team, citing questionable use of VAR and two pivotal calls: the disallowed goal by Mostafa Ziko due to an earlier foul, and a controversial foul on Mohamed Salah during Argentina’s stoppage-time winning goal. Egypt had held a two-goal lead before conceding three late goals, leading to their harsh elimination.

Ziko himself accused the referee of bias after the game, and the Egyptian federation's statement emphasized concerns over fairness and consistency in officiating. Mamdani's remarks have intensified the ongoing debate, indicating the controversy surrounding the match is far from settled.