Lionel Messi may be the overwhelming hero of the World Cup, shaping moments and defining games. But a background crew, Gianni Infantino, Donald Trump, angry managers, referees and an error-checking system, make a big difference as the support cast. Add conspiracy theories, allegations of corruption and rigging, and the World Cup has the intrigue of a spy movie.
The background score intensified after Egypt manager Hossam Hassan commented Argentina’s controversial 3-2 routOfficials were under pressure to keep Messi in the tournament. “Maybe they wanted Messi to keep running,” Hassan said after the match. “In football, sometimes there are external factors that go beyond technical aspects. The world champions got support at every level.”
He was referring to two incidents that decided the game: Mostafa Zico’s goal was disallowed for a foul on Argentina’s Lisandro Martinez at the other end of the pitch, and Alexis McAllister pulled down Mohamed Salah inside the box before Enzo Fernandez scored the winner.
Egypt’s Mohamed Salah (10) talks to referee Francois Latexier of France during the World Cup Round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt, Tuesday, July 7, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Eric S. Lesser)
Strictly by the book, VAR’s decision cannot be argued: under International Football Association Board protocol, VAR checks the attacking phase before each goal and sends the referee to a pitch-side monitor for a “clear and obvious” foul.
Whether the foul on Marwan Attia, standing on Martinez’s feet, was as clear and obvious as the foul on Salah, both soft offenses lost in the gray shades of refereeing perception, is not clear. An emotional Hassan, Egypt’s all-time top goalscorer, said: “Life is unfair. The world is unfair. OK, but why is there no fairness in the game? I’m not convinced by the result and the things that unfolded in this match.” He paused and said: “The referee is unfair, God is enough for me and the best deal. He is wasting the efforts of the whole country. The cup is going to Argentina.”
Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan argues with France referee Francois Letexier during the World Cup Round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt, Tuesday, July 7, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Eric S. Lesser)
These decisions divided the football world. “Sometimes, even warriors lose because the devil decides the story should end differently,” Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho produced another ripping one-liner. Chess legend Garry Kasparov also called FIFA a “corrupt joke, playing favorites for the stars” and echoed Croatia’s own grievances: “Croatia robbed, now Egypt. But you can’t shame the shameless.”
To reinforce FIFA’s theory of Argentina’s victory, social media lambasted every decision made in Argentina’s favor, most notably Messi grabbing Algeria captain Aissa Mendi’s calf and Achilles tendon with his studs in the opening game. Algeria appealed, decision upheld. “It’s pointless to comment on hypothetical situations, but everyone saw it, including me,” said Algeria head coach Vladimir Petkovic.
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The World Cup has a long history of scandals: the dodgy referee who sent co-hosts South Korea to Europe’s expense in the 2002 semi-final, two presidents shaking hands to save Brazil legend Garrincha from suspension, Argentina’s dictator General Jorge Videla’s visit to Peru, the alleged dressing room Argentina needed to reach four outfits to win. The 1978 final, or the disgrace of Gijon.
But rarely has an edition been produced with so many subplots as political, sports, moral. It started with Iran: based in Mexico, crossing the border just a day before each match and leaving immediately, denied visas by officials and fans, manager Amir Galenoi called his team the most “Dalim” in the tournament. Their heartbreaking departure only added to the sense of victimhood. Even Iran’s president, Massoud Pezeshkian, did not heed his words. “The US government’s conduct as host of the World Cup follows its familiar foreign policy: bending rules, intimidation of opponents, obstruction and deception. This is their MAGA playbook. Iran rejects such games. We stand firm for our rights,” he posted on X.
Players from both teams await a VAR review after Iran’s Shoja Khalilzadeh (4) scored a goal that was later disallowed during the World Cup Group G soccer match between Egypt and Iran, Friday, June 26, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsay Wasson)
The drama remained confined to the pitch until the round-of-32 before erupting. Trump’s successful intervention to remove the USMNT’s Folarin Balogun’s red card was mired in scandal, discussed as a skirmish after Belgium beat co-hosts 4-1, and as a political debate over a world leader’s power to change decisions on the football field through his relationship with FIFA’s supremo. “I didn’t know July 5 was the same as April 1 [April Fools’ Day] at FIFA,” manager Rudy Garcia said, half-jokingly, before the game. His association was more strident in its criticism, and he drafted a strongly-worded letter to FIFA. As did UEFA.
UEFA-FIFA relations have become more fraught still: dozens of European MPs are gathering support for an investigation into Infantino’s role in the European Parliament decision. “Once again, we have seen Infantino and FIFA capitulate to the demands of the Trump administration,” the statement said.
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Belgium’s victory extinguished the fire before another storm arose.
On-field drama unfolded as the tournament entered the quarter-finals; As the theater closes. And the dramatic character could put Hollywood to shame.