Argentina Faces Controversy Over Refereeing Decisions in World Cup Run
For the first time in World Cup history, the top four FIFA-ranked teams were separated in the draw to potentially meet only in the semifinals, setting up high-profile matches like France vs. Spain and Argentina vs. England. However, this seemingly perfect arrangement has sparked suspicions among fans about possible collusion between FIFA and referees to favor the biggest teams, especially Argentina.
Since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Argentina and Lionel Messi have repeatedly benefited from contentious refereeing decisions. Argentina received eight penalties in the last two World Cups, double that of England, and more than France, which had only three. While some calls were justified, others were borderline or controversial, fueling claims of favoritism. Notably, VAR referee Jérôme Brisard, a French official involved in disallowed goals against Argentina, has been central to these debates.
Controversy peaked during Argentina's knockout matches against Egypt and Switzerland. Egypt’s coach Mustafa Ziko accused the match of being rigged after Argentina overturned a 0-2 deficit late in the game. Against Switzerland, a historic VAR intervention reversed a yellow card from Argentine player Leandro Paredes to Swiss player Breel Embolo, leading to Embolo’s sending off and shifting momentum to Argentina, who won in extra time. This unprecedented VAR decision intensified accusations of bias.
Social media and hacking incidents targeting the Argentine Football Association further fueled conspiracy theories. French media expressed concerns over appointing Argentine referee Facundo Tello for a quarterfinal match, fearing partiality. FIFA’s refereeing committee chairman Pierluigi Collina firmly denied any corruption, defending the integrity of the officials and justifying all decisions, including a harsh foul by Messi that did not result in a card.
Despite Argentina’s underwhelming performances, the narrative of favoritism persists, with critics highlighting the discrepancy in disciplinary actions compared to opponents. Fans and analysts note that FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino, who has close ties with Donald Trump, appear invested in advancing Messi and Argentina to the final to maximize the tournament’s spectacle. While Argentine fans celebrate their team’s success and emotional moments, global football audiences remain skeptical about the fairness of their World Cup journey.
Published on July 13, 2026, this ongoing debate underscores the tension between football’s passion and the scrutiny of officiating in the sport’s biggest stage.
