Argentina national team manager Lionel Scaloni has firmly rejected claims of refereeing bias at the 2026 World Cup, insisting that systematic favoritism is impossible in the modern era of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
Scaloni’s comments come amid intense scrutiny surrounding French referee François Letexier and his performance during the Round of 16 clash between Egypt and France.
The Egypt vs. France Referee Controversy
Following their Round of 16 exit, the Egyptian Football Association filed an official complaint against Letexier, accusing him of discriminatory decisions that favored his home country, France. Egypt demanded his permanent exclusion from officiating any further matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
However, the head of the FIFA Referees Committee, Pierluigi Collina, publicly defended the French official, stating that Letexier committed no major errors during the match.
Scaloni’s Stance: “They Have Been Saying This Since 1986”
Speaking ahead of Argentina’s highly anticipated quarter-final clash against Switzerland, Scaloni was asked for his thoughts on the ongoing refereeing debates.
“Since 1986, people have been repeating that referees favor us. This talk is nothing new,” Scaloni stated. “Argentina is one of those teams that always brings immense excitement and passion to the tournament.”
He added: “There are many people who do not want to see Argentina win the title, which is normal. Perhaps there are far more who wish for our defeat, but our players use this animosity as a source of positive rebellion and motivation.”
The Role of VAR in Modern Football
To support his argument, the Copa América and World Cup-winning coach highlighted the strictness of technology, citing a recent incident involving his own team:
“I insist that with VAR, it has become incredibly difficult to receive any refereeing assistance. For example, Lisandro Martínez had his foot stepped on, possession of the ball did not change, and yet our goal was still disallowed after review.”
Scaloni concluded by addressing the impact of digital media: “With the rise of social media, everything gets amplified and blown out of proportion. But there is absolutely no favoritism or bias. Today, it is simply impossible for referees to favor any side.”
World Cup 2026 Bracket: The Road to the Semis
If Argentina successfully overcomes Switzerland in the quarter-finals, they will face the winner of the England vs. Norway match in the semi-finals.
Meanwhile, the other side of the bracket is already heating up, with a blockbuster semi-final clash confirmed: France will face Spain at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas.
