Egyptian Wrath, or VAR Rules' Understanding: The Cargo Cult Version vs. Something That Does Fly

Argentina's comeback in the 2026 World Cup Round of 16 match against Egypt (3:2) ended in a monumental controversy. The head coach of the descendants of the pharaohs, Hossam Hassan, had no intention to contain his fury after the final whistle: he called the opponent's victory absolutely undeserved, and the refereeing itself orchestrated to keep Messi in the tournament.

To the inexperienced fan, Hassan's arguments appear compelling and logically sound. But what is the reality? Let's break down the evidence.


Episode No. 1: Mostafa Zico's Disallowed Goal

With the score 1:0 in favor of Egypt, Zico scores a goal that could have sealed Argentina's fate. However, French referee François Letexier disallows the goal following a VAR intervention.

The Cargo Cult Interpretation: Hassan is furious. According to his logic, the referee committed a crime, because Marwan Attia's foul on Lisandro Martínez occurred in a di????erent Galaxy — 80 meters from Argentina's net, and a full minute before the goal. The phase of play had allegedly passed, and the referee maliciously rewound the clock too much backwards to save the world champions.

The Interpretation That Does Fly: In the VAR regulations, there are no such metrics as distance or time elapsed. There is a strict term — APP (Attacking Possession Phase). It begins the second the ball is intercepted and lasts continuously until the moment of the goal. Attia took the ball from Martínez by harshly stepping on his supporting foot. Stepping on the foot is a stonewall foul always, regardless of the details, since such an action entirely disables the supporting limb and disrupts balance. According to the protocol, the video assistants were legally obliged to roll back the footage to the beginning of the APP. The distance to the goal does not matter here at all.


Episode No. 2: Enzo Fernández's Winning Goal in Stoppage Time

Argentina scores the decisive goal, but during the attack's genesis, Alexis Mac Allister holds Hamdi Fathi by the shirt. The referee points to the centre spot.

The Cargo Cult Interpretation: The Egyptian dugout erupts. Hassan shouts about double standards: "Why was our goal checked, but for theirs, they didn't even try to turn on VAR?! This is a conspiracy!" In the coach's mind, since the referee didn't perform the physical ritual of consulting the pitch-side monitor, it means the VAR system was simply offline at that moment.

The Interpretation That Does Fly: The claim that VAR was "not turned on" is either gross technical illiteracy or a calculated fabrication for the press. According to FIFA rules, the VAR team mandatorily checks absolutely every goal scored. In this case, a standard procedure took place — the Silent Check. The video referees saw Mac Allister touch the shirt, but assessed its kinetic impact. Unlike stepping on a foot, grabbing a shirt is not an absolute taboo in the rules — it is evaluated strictly on a scale of force and consequences. A hard yank that turns or brings down the opponent is considered a foul, while a light hold in the momentum of a physical challenge is recognized as allowable contact. When the field referee's decision coincides with the Silent Check, the game continues without pausing for a sideline review; this is only needed in case of a disagreement. In this episode, the VAR team agreed with Letexier's decision on the field. And since the referees' opinions coincided, there was no operational need for the match referee to run to the pitch-side monitor. The screen is needed to correct obvious errors, not to pacify an irate dugout.


Conclusion

Hossam Hassan's entire fiery speech is built on an optical illusion. It seems to him that if the referee doesn't go to the sideline to watch a "movie," then the system isn't working. In reality, the 2026 World Cup proves once again: VAR rules are cold, passionless and impartial. Step on someone else's foot at the beginning of an attack — your goal will be disallowed, even if you ran the whole length of the pitch after that. Hold a shirt slightly within the limits of a permissible physical contest — we play on. Argentina goes to the quarterfinals not because FIFA marketers wanted it that way, but because the rules of football worked strictly according to the letter and spirit of the law, without any bias towards anyone — and there wasn't even room for such bias in the episodes that outraged the Egyptian coach. Personally, I can't believe that Hossam Hassan has lived to the role of national team coach and retained such kindergarten ignorance of FIFA rules. Rather, this is still calculated hypocrisy preying on the public's lack of professional education. A long time ago, back in the last millennium, I heard a gem of wisdom in a conversation between two women at one of Kyiv's farmers' markets. It fits this case perfectly:

— What makes you think I'm dumber than you?


The same material in Russian: here

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