The Algerian news agency (APS) reported that the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) filed an official complaint to the International Football Federation (FIFA) regarding what it described as officiating errors that the team faced during their match against Argentina (0-3) in the first round of the group stage of the 2026 World Cup.
The Algerian Federation highlighted in its complaint the intervention of Argentine star Lionel Messi on the Algerian team’s captain Aissa Mandi in the first half, which was not counted despite a review by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), in addition to several elbow balls that were not penalized by Polish referee Szymon Marciniak, especially those suffered by player Ibrahim Maza.
The Algerian Federation considered that these officiating decisions constituted “refereeing injustice” that directly affected the outcome of the match, emphasizing that the complaint was lodged the day after the confrontation.
It is noted that such official protests rarely lead to a change in the result or the imposition of penalties on referees, but they reflect a significant state of discontent within the Algerian team and football circles following a difficult start in the 2026 World Cup.
