FIFA sanctions Egypt over match-fixing accusations in World Cup 2026

After declaring that 'the Cup is headed towards Argentina,' FIFA imposes harsh penalties on Egypt: 3 matches suspension for the coach and 5 for the forward.

Controversy in the 2026 World Cup

Following Argentina's epic 3-2 victory in the round of 16, the Egyptian national team accused FIFA of favoring Lionel Messi and his team. Forward Mostafa Ziko claimed that 'the tournament was rigged,' while coach Hossam Hassan suggested marketing motives behind the decisions. As a result, FIFA sanctioned the striker with 5 matches and the coach with 3, demonstrating that they will not tolerate baseless accusations.

Penalties and Appeal

Mostafa Ziko received the most severe penalty, with a 5-match suspension, impacting Egypt's upcoming matches in the qualifiers for the Africa Cup of Nations. Both Hossam Hassan and an executive received 3-game suspensions. The Egyptian Football Federation announced that they will appeal the Disciplinary Committee's decisions, requesting details to assess their legal position before proceeding.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, FIFA sanciona a Egipto por acusaciones de amaño en Mundial 2026