The fallout continues after Egypt's controversial defeat to Argentina at the World Cup, with one of Mohamed Salah's teammates making sensational claims about the tournament
23:07, 07 Jul 2026Updated 23:24, 07 Jul 2026
Mostafa Ziko giving an interview after Egypt's defeat to Argentina at the World Cup
Mostafa Ziko sensationally claimed the World Cup is 'rigged' after Egypt's defeat to Argentina
Egypt star Mostafa Ziko has sensationally claimed that the World Cup is “rigged” after the controversy surrounding his country’s defeat to Argentina.
Mohamed Salah finds himself at the heart of the fallout, having been involved in two contentious decisions during the last-16 encounter in Atlanta, which Argentina won 3-2 after staging a remarkable comeback after falling 2-0 down.
Lionel Messi was among the late scorers, with Enzo Fernandez heading home the winner in stoppage time, although Egypt was left furious after feeling Salah had been fouled in the build-up to the final goal, leading to angry scenes on the Pharaohs’ bench.
One of Egypt’s coaches was sent off for his protests, while manager Hossam Hassan was shown a yellow card after repeatedly gesturing an ‘X’ with his arms - FIFA’s approved “No Racism Gesture” which is supposed to signal an incident of racial abuse to the referee.
That wasn’t the only controversial moment in the game, with Egypt having also had a goal disallowed by VAR earlier in the second half after Marwan Attia was ajudged to have pulled back Argentine defender Lisandro Martinez in the build-up, denying Salah an assist.
It was Ziko who saw his goal chalked off, although he would go on to double Egypt’s lead shortly after, although it counts for nothing now after Argentina’s comeback, with the winger hitting out spectacularly at the officials after the game.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 7: Referee, Francois Letexier with Mohamed Salah of Egypt during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt at Atlanta Stadium on July 7, 2026 in Atlanta, United States. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/Getty Images)
Mohamed Salah argues with referee Francois Letexier during Egypt's defeat to Argentina(Image: Getty Images)
In an interview with one of the tournament’s broadcasters (via BBC Sport), Ziko said: “The referee was really not fair. Not fair.
“The referee was not fair. The injustice was clear. We did a good job in the early stages of the match.
“There’s been an unfairness right from the start of the match. A 2-0 lead isn’t enough to beat Argentina.
“It’s clear that this tournament has been fixed. But God is sufficient for us.”
Get Liverpool's new 2026/27 home kit
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Content Image
£85
LFC Shop
Buy Now on LFC Shop
Liverpool FC have launched their new home kit for the 2026/27, inspired by iconic adidas strip worn during the club's 1989/90 title-winning campaign.
Ziko’s comments come amid claims from Egypt boss Hassan that his team had been “treated unfairly” and “suffered injustice” (as per The Telegraph’s Sam Dean).
Hassan went on to claim that the result had been influenced by “internal” and “external” factors, and that Egypt had objected to the selection of Francois Letexier as the referee.
"Why isn't there any fairness in sport? In football? I do not want to try to put it nicely here with beautiful wording. We have been treated unfairly today. We have suffered injustice,” Hassan said.
Article continues below
He went on to add that he would not watch any of the rest of the World Cup, saying: "It is my own way of speaking up and standing up. I am not going to watch a single match of this tournament."