Sports · Football · 4 hrs ago
Egypt coach and forward suspended after criticism of World Cup refereeing
Egypt coach Hossam Hassan and forward Mostafa Zico were suspended by FIFA after criticizing refereeing at the World Cup.
Egypt lost 3-2 to Argentina in the round of 16 after surrendering a 2-0 lead.
The criticism followed a disallowed Egypt goal and a penalty appeal that was not granted.
Hassan received a three-match ban and Zico a five-match ban for their comments.
The Egyptian football association says it will ask FIFA to explain the decision before deciding whether to appeal.
The bans could affect Egypt's next official matches, Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Malawi, Angola and South Sudan.
FIFA suspended Egypt coach Hossam Hassan for three matches and forward Mostafa Zico for five after their criticism of refereeing at the 2026 World Cup.
Egypt lost 3-2 to Argentina in the round of 16 and was eliminated.
Hassan blamed French referee François Letexier for errors, while Zico insulted the referee in a post-match interview.
Egypt’s football association said it had asked FIFA for detailed reasons for the decision before deciding whether to appeal.
Hossam’s twin brother Ibrahim Hassan, the national team director, was also suspended for three matches.
- Who
- Egypt coach Hossam Hassan and forward Mostafa Zico were suspended. National team director Ibrahim Hassan was also suspended.
- What
- FIFA suspended Hossam and Ibrahim Hassan for three matches each and Zico for five matches.
- When
- The suspensions were reported on Monday, 19 October 2026.
- Where
- The incident followed Egypt’s 3-2 World Cup round-of-16 defeat to Argentina.
- Why
- FIFA sanctioned them after criticism of the refereeing. Hassan blamed the referee for errors, and Zico insulted him in a post-match interview.
Egyptian critics of the refereeing
FIFA
Refereeing decisions
Egyptian critics of the refereeing
Egyptian players protested a disallowed goal and a penalty appeal, and the Egyptian football association sought to keep referee François Letexier from officiating for the rest of the tournament.
FIFA
FIFA’s head of refereeing, Pierluigi Collina, defended the officiating.
Post-match comments
Egyptian critics of the refereeing
Hossam Hassan blamed the elimination on refereeing errors, and Zico insulted the referee.
FIFA
FIFA suspended Hassan and Zico over their comments.
Egypt lost 3-2 to Argentina, and Hassan and Zico criticized the refereeing.
The Egyptian football association reported that FIFA had suspended Hossam Hassan for three matches and Zico for five.
The association said it had requested detailed reasons for the decision before deciding whether to appeal.
- Egypt-Argentina score
- 3-2
- Tournament stage
- 2026 World Cup round of 16
- Hossam Hassan suspension
- 3 matches
- Ibrahim Hassan suspension
- 3 matches
- Mostafa Zico suspension
- 5 matches
4 sources
Duras sanciones a Egipto por criticar al árbitro en el Mundial
Twee schorsingen voor Egypte na kritiek op arbitrage tegen Argentinië
فيفا يوقف حسام وإبراهيم حسن 3 مباريات وزيكو 5 مواجهات بعد أحداث مصر والأرجنتين
Hossam Hassan et Mostafa Zico suspendus trois et cinq matches après leurs critiques de l'arbitrage au Mondial