World Cup 2026 LIVE: Egypt accuse Fifa of ‘fix’ after Messi inspires Argentina comeback | OneFootball

Fifa have been accused of “fixing” the World Cup as a furious Egypt criticised the “injustice” of their controversial exit to Argentina.

Inspired by Lionel Messi, the defending champions roared back from 2-0 to reach the quarter-finals in a dramatic encounter in Atlanta – but Egypt felt they should have had a penalty for a foul on Mohamed Salah in the build-up to Argentina’s winning goal. Striker Mostafa Zico subsequently claimed the competition had been “fixed”, with manager Hossam Hassan suggesting that Fifa wanted to keep the holders in the competition.

The last eight line-up is now confirmed with Switzerland taking the final spot in the quarter-finals after progressing past Colombia on penalties. On-field matters, though, have been overshadowed in the last two days by the ongoing fallout to the apparent intervention of Donald Trump in the suspending of the ban for USA striker Folarin Balogun – with Fifa president Gianni Infantino facing calls to resign over the matter.

USA manager Mauricio Pochettino disappointed over 'politics and manipulation'

Mauricio Pochettino admitted his disappointment at the “politics and manipulation” which overshadowed the United States’ World Cup exit following President Donald Trump’s intervention.

The co-hosts were dumped out of the competition in the last 16 after they were thumped 4-1 by Belgium in Seattle.

They did so with star man Folarin Balogun included in the starting line-up after the one-match ban he incurred for his dismissal during the 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the previous round was controversially suspended, with President Trump revealing he had asked Fifa president Gianni Infantino to review the situation.

Asked afterwards if the outcry the decision sparked had affected he and his players, USA head coach Pochettino told the BBC: “It didn’t affect our performance. It’s not an excuse. It wasn’t our day.

“But in a personal way, what is the point to insult or receive a lot of bad messages?

“It’s a rule for the federation to apply and to try [to overturn the ban]. My position was to train the team. If Balogun is available because FIFA allow for you to have the player, it’s not a problem.

“I feel disappointed with too many people. They put politics and manipulation, talk about ethics and integrity [first]. If we talk about the history of this game, I am disappointed in a personal way.”

Mike Jones8 July 2026 10:05

Gianni Infantino facing calls to resign

Fifa boss Gianni Infantino is facing increasing calls to resign his position as the controversy surrounding Donald Trump’s intervention in the World Cup rumbles on.

The US president was mocked by Belgium’s players after Rudi Garcia’s side beat the United States 4-1 to knock the tournament co-hosts out, while a taunt on social media appeared to reference the suspension of Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban by Fifa. Balogun was able to start in Seattle with his sanction postponed, a decision which followed a personal appeal by Trump to Infantino over the striker’s red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina to raise questions about the World Cup’s integrity.

In the end, it was not really a contest as Belgium became the sixth side into the World Cup quarter-finals against a subdued USA. Belgium will now face Spain in the last eight in Los Angeles on Friday.

Mike Jones8 July 2026 09:35

Quarter-final line-up confirmed

Switzerland, meanwhile, completed the quarter-final line-up as they overcame Colombia in a tense penalty shootout.

Switzerland edge Colombia in shoot-out to book World Cup quarter-final with Argentina

Switzerland claimed a famous 4-3 win in a tense shoot-out after a goalless draw after extra-time in Kanas City, with Lionel Messi’s Argentina next, having survived a scare with Egypt

Harry Latham-Coyle8 July 2026 09:15

Argentina’s act of escapology highlights the problem with Enzo Fernandez

Is it better to be lucky than good? Argentina just about came through when it seemed they were heading for the exit, but Richard Jolly is concerned about the defending champions – and one player in particular.

Argentina’s act of escapology highlights the problem with Enzo Fernandez

Enzo Fernandez’s goal has salvaged Argentina’s World Cup hopes and his own personal tournament, with Richard Jolly detailing how his Chelsea future is complicated in comparison to his role for his country

Harry Latham-Coyle8 July 2026 09:00

Argentina were doomed – then Lionel Messi did this to change everything

It was some comeback from Argentina, controversial though it may have proved. Miguel Delaney was in Atlanta.

Argentina were doomed – then Lionel Messi did this to change everything

Argentina 3-2 Egypt: Lionel Messi’s World Cup hopes were fading but brilliance, and controversy, Miguel Delaney writes, flipped one of the greatest upsets of all time into a legendary comeback

Harry Latham-Coyle8 July 2026 08:50

Fifa accused of World Cup ‘fix’ after Egypt’s controversial defeat to Argentina

Here’s the full story on Egypt’s accusations of a World Cup ‘injustice’:

Fifa accused of World Cup ‘fix’ after Egypt’s controversial defeat to Argentina

Egypt were left upset after Mostafa Ziko’s goal was disallowed and claimed a penalty in the build-up to Argentina’s winning goal in the come-from-behind 3-2 win for the defending champions

Will Castle8 July 2026 08:40

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