Algeria Complains to FIFA Over Refereeing in World Cup Loss to Argentina

Algeria has officially lodged a complaint with FIFA, protesting the officiating during their 3-0 defeat against Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2026. A source close to the matter revealed that the complaint was submitted to FIFA's refereeing commission, detailing several incidents Algeria believes were mishandled by Polish referee Szymon Marciniak. Among the key incidents highlighted is an apparent stamp by Argentina's captain Lionel Messi on Algerian skipper Aissa Mandi in the first half. Despite calls for a red card from fans, no disciplinary action was taken against Messi, who went on to score all three goals. Algeria also raised concerns about an alleged elbow by midfielder Alexis Mac Allister on Ibrahim Maza in the second half, an incident that also went unpunished. Marciniak, who officiated the 2022 World Cup final, was reportedly positioned to see the challenge. The match itself saw a stellar performance from Messi, who netted a hat-trick. This marked his first in World Cup history, bringing his total to 16 goals, level with Germany's Miroslav Klose as the joint-highest scorer in men's World Cup history. The milestone occurred shortly before Messi's 39th birthday and 20 years after his first World Cup goal. Argentina will next face Austria, while Algeria is scheduled to play Jordan.

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Algeria have officially lodged a complaint with FIFA over what they described as poor refereeing during their 3-0 defeat to Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2026.