FIFA have opened disciplinary proceedings against a 2026 World Cup nation following controversial comments made about Argentina.

A series of unfounded conspiracy theories over the Argentina national team gathered momentum on social media throughout this summer’s showpiece international tournament in North America.

FIFA and its match officials were accused of showing favouritism towards Argentina and its players, most notably its legendary captain Lionel Messi.

Messi was one of the stars of the tournament, despite turning 39 years old in June, but many fans and pundits alike claimed the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner was fortunate to avoid a red card in Argentina’s opening group match against Algeria.

When further contentious decisions went in Argentina’s favour as the tournament progressed, conspiracy theories spiralled out of control.

Public opinion towards the 2022 World Cup winners subsequently plummeted, with fans even creating petitions in a desperate attempt to have Argentina kicked out of the tournament amid ‘corruption’ allegations.

Egypt Coaches and Players Reacted Badly to Argentina Defeat

REUTERS/Paul Childs

Egypt were on the verge of knocking Argentina out of the 2026 World Cup in the last 16 but a dramatic – and, again, controversial – comeback saw Messi and co. advance to the quarter-finals.

Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan said after the match, per GOAL: “We were the better side today against Argentina, but football is not fair, and what happened was unjust, even though FIFA raises the banner of ‘fair play’.” He continued:

Star player Mustafa Ziko added: “Congratulations to Argentina on the World Cup. The tournament is rigged, the referee was unjust, from the start of the match he was against us, and he wasted the efforts of an entire nation. Were they going to let us beat Argentina 2-0? The tournament is rigged and congratulations to Argentina on the World Cup.”

While Hassan’s brother Ibrahim, Egypt’s team manager, said: “We were leading Argentina by two goals to nil, and we were capable of continuing the journey, had it not been for the glaring refereeing errors that everyone witnessed, which revealed the truth before the world, after we were knocked out by someone’s doing.”

Pierluigi Collina, FIFA’s Chief Refereeing Officer, categorically denied Egypt’s ‘rigged’ accusations.

Egypt FA Confirm FIFA Have Opened Disciplinary Proceedings

REUTERS/Paul Childs

The Egyptian Football Association have now confirmed that FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against the Hassan brothers and Ziko.

A statement reads: “The Egyptian federation is following the disciplinary proceedings that the International Federation of Association Football has begun against Hossam Hassan, the national team’s head coach, Ibrahim Hassan, the team’s manager, and the player Mustafa Ziko, on the back of their statements after the Egypt v Argentina match at the 2026 World Cup.

“The federation affirms its respect for FIFA’s regulations and procedures, and the necessary responses and legal memoranda will be submitted within the specified deadlines, while confirming its support and backing for those concerned by the proceedings and the defence of the rights of Egyptian football, through official channels.”

The statement adds: “The federation also stresses its respect for the principles of fair play and the organising bodies, while retaining its full right to defend the interests of the technical staff and the players before the competent bodies at FIFA.”

Argentina reached the World Cup final but produced an underwhelming performance at the New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19 as Spain secured victory thanks to Ferran Torres’ extra-time winner.

Rangers are closing in on a deal to sign Girona forward Kim Min-Su as they prepare to trigger his release clause, according to The Athletic.

The Scottish Premiership side have had a very busy summer window so far with Derek McInnes replacing Danny Rohl as manager, and bringing in 11 new faces so far, including striker Lawrence Shankland and winger Daisuke Yokota.

But after losing Youssef Chermiti to a serious knee injury, plus seeing a deal for winger Couhaib Driouech collapse after he underwent a medical, the Ibrox side are now pushing ahead to get a deal done for an alternative option from La Liga.

According to a report by Jordan Campbell of The Athletic, Rangers are closing in on a deal worth around £8.5m for the South Korea international.

Girona are expecting the player’s release clause to be met in the coming days after Rangers had a bid of around €8m (£6.8m) rejected by the Spanish side. Girona are understood to be disappointed about losing the player, as they had planned for him to be a key player this season after a successful loan spell in 2025/26.

But Rangers are now looking to make him part of their squad for the new season, with the 20-year-old expected to sign a long-term contract.

Rangers have had a difficult start to their 2026/27 season, winning just two games in all competitions so far, but they have won their last two games and are now hoping to build some momentum ahead of an Old Firm double-header next month.

The Glasgow side will take on Czech size Jablonec in their next fixture in midweek in a Conference League qualifier, having won the first leg 1-0 on Thursday night despite seeing Cammy Devlin sent off in the second half.

Analyst Opinion: Min-Su ‘Exciting’ But Not Ready

via Reuters

Min-Su is an unknown commodity to many people in Scotland, but Rangers have clearly seen enough to make him a first-team signing and believe he can make an impact.

However, writing on his X account, analyst Kai Watson has shared his thoughts on the 20-year-old winger, and admitted that while the Korean is an ‘exciting prospect’, he isn’t sure that he’s ready to come in as an immediate starter at Ibrox.

“Min-su Kim looks like an exciting prospect with some great attributes,” he said.

Crystal Palace have reached a verbal agreement to sign Chelsea defender Axel Disasi, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Eagles have had a busy summer window so far, bringing in Oscar Mingueza, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Dwight McNeil, Zavier Gozo, and Anan Khalaili, while Maxence Lacroix and Brennan Johnson have departed as new manager Pierre Sage looks to shape the squad in his own image.

But after searching the market for a replacement for the France international this summer to bolster the defence, the club have now sealed an agreement to bring Disasi in on loan for the 2026/27 season.

According to Romano, Crystal Palace have agreed a loan fee with Chelsea for Disasi to move across London to Selhurst Park, and they will also cover his entire salary during the season too.

Disasi is understood to be undergoing a medical with the Eagles already on Friday morning ahead of putting pen to paper on a contract, for what will be his third loan spell away from Stamford Bridge in the last three seasons, having previously joined Aston Villa and West Ham United.

The 28-year-old France international is not part of Xabi Alonso’s plans in west London, having previously been exiled by Enzo Maresca. But his performances for West Ham last season, despite their eventual relegation to the Championship, have convinced Palace that he can replace Lacroix in the heart of their defence.

Disasi will now join Mingueza, Tomiyasu, Chris Richards, and Jaydee Canvot as potential options to play at centre-back for Sage, as Palace prepare for their first Europa League campaign ever.