Ziko Accuses World Cup of Rigging for Argentina
Egypt striker Mostafa Ziko accused the World Cup of rigging in Argentina's favor after Egypt lost 3-2 to the defending champions in the Round of 16 on July 7, citing controversial VAR decisions that overturned a goal and denied a penalty.
Mostafa Ziko, Egypt's striker, has criticized the World Cup for allegedly fixing outcomes in Argentina's favor after his team was knocked out. Egypt's 2026 World Cup run ended at the Round of 16 following a 2-3 loss to defending champion Argentina on July 7, despite initially leading 2-0.
Controversial moments marred the match when Ziko's goal in the 58th minute, which extended Egypt's lead to 2-0, was overturned after VAR determined he had fouled Lisandro Martínez beforehand. Additionally, Mohamed Salah was not awarded a penalty when fouled in Argentina's box before the defending champions mounted a comeback and secured a 3-2 victory with Enzo Fernández's stoppage-time goal in the 92nd minute.
Post-match, Ziko remarked: "Congratulations to Argentina on the World Cup. The tournament is rigged already. They don't need anything else. The referees were unjust... unjust... unjust... unjust. This trophy is being sent to Argentina."
"We were leading 2-0 and playing the best football of our lives," he added. "If they had beaten us because they played better, we would accept it. But losing in the World Cup like this hurts twice as much."
