World Cup 2026: Algeria Lodge Official Complaint To FIFA Over ‘Poor Officiating’ In Opener Vs Argentina

Algeria have complained to FIFA alleging poor refereeing in their World Cup opener against Argentina, talkSPORT reports.

Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick as Argentina ran out 3-0 winners in Group J and the Algerians were not happy with the 2022 World Cup-winning captain in particular.

Messi stood on the calf of Algeria defender Aissa Mandi during the game in Kansas City.

But the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, playing at his record-equalling sixth World Cup, escaped the incident without a yellow card.

Messi’s first goal sent Argentina in 1-0 up at half-time before he added a second-half brace to make sure of victory.

Also Red: World Cup 2026: Messi Should Have Been Sent Off Against Algeria, Ex-Bundesliga Referee

Lionel Scaloni’s side are aiming to become the first team to retain the trophy since Brazil in 1962.

But the three-time world champions might count themselves lucky to have Messi available for their next group game against Austria on Monday.

The same could be said of Alexis Mac Allister after the Liverpool midfielder got away with an elbow on midfielder Ibrahim Maza.

Poland’s Szymon Marciniak was the man in the middle, having previously refereed Argentina’s thrilling win over France in the 2022 World Cup final.

Marciniak is widely regarded as one of the best officials around, but Algeria were not happy with the way he oversaw their defeat.

The African country’s FA are said to have written a letter of complaint to FIFA’s refereeing commission.

And they weren’t the only ones with a referee-related gripe - South Africa boss Hugo Broos weighed in after seeing one of his players, Themba Zwane, dismissed for a similar act to Messi’s in their tournament-opening loss to co-hosts Mexico.