Read 4 minutesUpdated: July 9, 2026 08:43 AM IST
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup leaps towards the final stage of the knockouts, refereeing decisions have been magnified and scrutiny intensified. They had a fight During the round of 16 match between world champions Argentina and EgyptAppointed by Frenchman Francois Latexier on Tuesday night.
Although the neutrality of officials is said to be monitored on a match-to-match basis by the World Football Association, not all such combinations have been welcomed globally, as Argentina’s officials did not appear after the tournament while England progressed to the final. The reverse is equally problematic, as experienced English officials, Anthony Taylor and Michael Oliver, will not be able to take the field if Argentina knock Switzerland out of the quarter-finals.
Also read | FIFA World Cup: Morocco’s relentless legs could be the answer to stop hostage, Mbappe
England-Argentina rivalry off the field
Despite featuring in seven World Cup matches, Englishman Oliver is likely to miss the final set at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on July 19 if Lionel Messi’s men feature. The unique situation stems from a 44-year war involving two nations over control of the Falkland Islands, an archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean.
The Falklands War, which began on 2 April 1982 when Argentina invaded the English-occupied Falkland Islands, lasted 74 days. The war ended with the surrender of Argentina in June 1982, after the deaths of 649 Argentine military personnel, 255 British military personnel and three Falkland Islanders.
How FIFA selects referees for the knockout stages of the World Cup
The same policy of neutrality and selection of officials will continue for the remainder of the World Cup, including performance and other geo-political factors related to the respective teams. They will also be barred from officiating matches involving countries in the same bracket as their country of birth. For example, an English or Norwegian referee would not be considered for a quarter-final involving Argentina and Switzerland as they are expected to meet in the semi-final and vice versa.
Similarly, Argentina’s referee Facundo Tello was only considered for the quarter-finals in the top-half of the bracket, which included France, Morocco, Spain and Belgium.
Story continues below this ad
Also read | Who are the Hassan twins? Egypt’s coach, his brother, and the kingdom that backs them
World Cup Knockouts: A week of refereeing controversies
Despite a 3–2 comeback, Argentina fans found themselves outraged in the wake of neutral referee Latexier in the Round of 16 match against Egypt. A referee from France, the country that knocked them out of the World Cup in 2018 and came close to ruining their dream of a final in 2022.
The Egyptian management, including coach Hossam Hassan, also voiced strong objections to the referees and FIFA as they lost the plot just 11 minutes after taking a 2-0 lead and it was not until the 78th minute that the world champions regained the lead.
Hassan’s complaints were broader than the scoreline: earlier in the match, Egypt had already led 2–0, with a goal disallowed on VAR review that would have made it 3–0; Late on, he realized a foul in the box wasn’t reviewed. He had objected to the referee’s identity before kicking the ball, telling Francois Latexier that his background was a problem, and later felt the Frenchman had “something to hide”. A case was registered against him for that.
Story continues below this ad
There was also criticism when an all-Argentina squad led by Tello was announced for the first quarter-final, featuring arch-rivals France and Morocco.