Algeria Files Complaint with FIFA Over Refereeing in World Cup Loss to Argentina
Algeria's Official Complaint to FIFA
Washington [US], June 20: Algeria has formally submitted a complaint to FIFA, expressing dissatisfaction with the officiating during their 3-0 loss to Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2026, according to a source familiar with the situation.
The complaint was directed to FIFA's refereeing commission and pointed out several incidents that Algeria feels were mishandled during their Group J match.
One significant incident mentioned in the complaint occurred in the first half when Argentina's captain, Lionel Messi, allegedly stepped on the calf of Algeria's skipper, Aissa Mandi. Fans were vocal in their calls for Messi's dismissal after he made contact from behind with a raised boot, yet no action was taken against him, allowing him to continue playing and ultimately score all three goals in Argentina's victory.
Additionally, Algeria raised concerns regarding an incident involving Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, who reportedly elbowed Ibrahim Maza in the second half. This incident also went unpunished by Polish referee Szymon Marciniak, who was close to the action when Mac Allister challenged Maza.
In the match itself, Messi delivered an outstanding performance, leading Argentina to a 3-0 victory over Algeria in their World Cup opener, scoring a hat-trick and showcasing the defending champions' dominance.
Messi opened the scoring with a powerful long-range shot, followed by a second goal from a rebound, and completed his hat-trick with a curling strike in the 76th minute. This hat-trick marked Messi's first in World Cup history, bringing him to a total of 16 goals, tying him with Germany's Miroslav Klose as the all-time leading scorer in men's World Cup history. This achievement came just days before Messi's 39th birthday and exactly 20 years after he netted his first World Cup goal in 2006.
In his 200th appearance for Argentina, Messi displayed remarkable creativity, control, and finishing skills, leading La Albiceleste to a convincing win.
Argentina's next match is against Austria in Dallas on Monday, while Algeria is set to face Jordan in San Francisco.