Argentina Claims Hacking After Egypt World Cup Defeat

Cyber Attack Allegations

The Argentine Football Federation (AFA) says its computer systems were breached by Egyptian hackers after the recent World Cup loss. According to La Calle, the intruders accessed part of the federation’s database, extracting email addresses, passwords, IP addresses, and specialized form information.

From AFA email accounts, they sent mass messages to accredited journalists, accusing French referee Francois Letexier of corruption and claiming that Argentina’s victory was “snatched by corrupt refereeing decisions.” The emails also asserted that Argentina did not win the match and praised Egypt’s performance.

Argentina quickly issued a public statement warning colleagues to disregard any unusual messages from their institutional accounts. The AFA said a possible unauthorized access had occurred while IT staff performed verifications and that security safeguards were in place. The federation asked for cooperation as they clarified the situation and tightened protective measures.

• Email addresses, passwords, IP addresses, specialized form information

Match Details and Controversy

In the Round of 16 clash at Atlanta Stadium on July 7, 2026, Egypt built a two‑goal lead through Mohamed Salah and his teammates. Lionel Messi then sparked a second‑half comeback, scoring a goal and providing an assist to secure a 3‑2 victory for Lionel Scaloni’s side.

Mostafa Ziko’s potential equaliser was ruled out for a foul, and Salah was denied a penalty that could have changed the outcome. Egyptian officials, including coach Hossam Hassan and forward Mostafa Ziko, voiced their discontent with refereeing choices and filed formal complaints.

The protests were amplified by the hacked emails, which reinforced the narrative of unfair officiating. Their grievances added a diplomatic layer to the sporting dispute.

Fifa Rebukes Claims

Fifa’s Chief Refereeing Officer Pierluigi Collina responded swiftly, defending his officials and dismissing the allegations. He emphasized that while constructive debate over decisions is part of football, unfounded accusations have no place in the World Cup environment. No one should question the integrity of the match officials, he concluded.

The statement was reported by The Mirror, which quoted the AFA’s official warning to media colleagues. The federation’s message highlighted ongoing security measures and asked for continued vigilance.