On 7 July 2026, following Egypt’s defeat to Argentina, Egyptian forward Ziko openly criticised the referee, accusing him of bias and claiming that the Cup was being handed to Argentina.
Ziko, who found the back of the net twice but saw only one of his goals stand, was among Egypt’s top performers in the match. However, his frustration was evident at the final whistle, as he voiced strong disapproval of the officiating.
“The referee is unfair. God is sufficient for me and the best disposer of affairs. He is wasting the effort of an entire nation,” Ziko declared before adding sharply, “He is giving the Cup to Argentina.”
These remarks have rapidly spread across social media, fuelling widespread outrage among Egyptian fans. Many supporters believe that critical refereeing decisions undermined their team’s chances, and emotions in Egypt remain highly charged after the controversial loss to Argentina.
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