FIFA has reportedly opened a formal review into the refereeing performance of French official Francois Letexier during the controversial Round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt. According to a report by French sports newspaper L’Equipe, football’s global governing body will examine Letexier’s match decisions to decide whether to ban him from officiating any remaining games at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The review comes less than 24 hours after the Egyptian Football Federation (EFA) filed an emergency complaint demanding the immediate removal of the French refereeing team.
What triggered FIFA investigation into Egypt vs Argentina and match officials?
The review centers on critical on-field incidents during Argentina’s narrow 3-2 victory over Egypt at the Atlanta Stadium. The reason for investigation is a disallowed second-half goal scored by Egyptian forward Mostafa Ziko while Egypt maintained a lead. Letexier overturned the goal following a debated Video Assistant Referee (VAR) intervention for a foul earlier in the attacking sequence.
Additionally, FIFA’s review will analyze the refereeing crew’s refusal to check a potential Egyptian penalty, alongside a missed shirt-pull on midfielder Hamdy Fathy right before Enzo Fernandez scored the 93rd-minute winning goal for Argentina.
How did the Egyptian Football Federation force FIFA’s hand?
The investigation was fast-tracked after EFA President Hany Abo Rida released an uncompromising official statement declaring that the federation would not remain silent over blatant sporting injustices. In their official submission to FIFA, the EFA stated:
 “The Egyptian Football Federation expresses its deep displeasure with the refereeing performance in yesterday’s match led by the French referee, and some decisions related to the assistive video refereeing (VAR) technology, which have raised many question marks… The union emphasizes its adherence to the rights of the national team and its keenness to undertake all the measures provided by the regulations to preserve justice and the integrity of the competition.”
What happens next for Referee Francois Letexier?
FIFA’s Referees Committee is scheduled to review the complete match footage, audio logs between Letexier and the VAR room, and the official match delegate reports. If the committee finds evidence of systemic errors or a breach of tournament officiating protocols, Letexier and his assistants will be stripped of their World Cup credentials and sent home.
A final decision regarding the potential tournament ban is expected to be announced before the quarter-final stage begins.
