FIFA has handed three-match suspensions to Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan and team director Ibrahim Hassan, while forward Mostafa “Zico” faces a five-match ban over their criticism of refereeing decisions at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) confirmed the sanctions following Egypt’s reported 3-2 defeat to Argentina in the round of 16 in Atlanta, United States, in July.
Egypt took a 2-0 lead before Argentina fought back to win the match. Disputed officiating decisions fuelled anger among the Egyptian contingent, with the controversy continuing after the final whistle.
Hossam Hassan openly criticised the match officials after the defeat, arguing that their decisions had hurt his team. Zico also drew FIFA’s disciplinary attention over his post-match comments, while Ibrahim Hassan faced sanctions over his conduct and remarks surrounding the incident.
The FIFA rulings could disrupt Egypt’s preparations for upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The three-match bans could sideline the Hassan brothers for crucial fixtures, while Zico’s five-match suspension could further weaken the team’s attacking options.
The EFA has requested detailed explanations from FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee to clarify the grounds for the sanctions. The association is also considering an appeal after reviewing the governing body’s decision.
The case highlights the tension between players’ and officials’ right to express frustration after contentious matches and FIFA’s rules on public criticism of match officials.
Egypt now faces the challenge of managing the fallout while preparing for its next competitive fixtures.
