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.

Fifa refereeing chief praises official criticised by Trump

The match official labelled “suspect” by United States President Donald Trump has been praised by Fifa referees’ chief Pierluigi Collina.

Trump criticised Brazilian referee Raphael Claus on Monday after he sent off US striker Folarin Balogun following a VAR review in the last-32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Balogun’s red card was controversially suspended on Sunday, allowing him to play in the Americans’ last-16 tie against Belgium which they lost 4-1 on Monday in Seattle.

Fifa issued a statement praising Claus as “one of the world’s leading professional referees and a valued member of Team One (the referees team) at the Fifa World Cup”.

It added: “Throughout his career, he has consistently demonstrated the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.”

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.”

Belgium US WCup Soccer (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

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

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