Algeria has lodged a formal complaint with FIFA over what it calls “refereeing injustice” in its 2026 World Cup opening match against Argentina.
The Algerian Football Federation told AFP on Friday that the complaint focuses mainly on a studs-up challenge by Lionel Messi on defender Aissa Mandi in the 30th minute. Messi caught Mandi on the calf from behind but was not booked by the referee.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner had already put Argentina ahead and went on to score a hat-trick in the game.
“The complaint primarily concerns Messi’s challenge, which deserved a red card, in everyone’s opinion,” a federation source said. “There were also two elbow incidents… Both of which warranted dismissals.”
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The source added that Algeria is not questioning Argentina’s strength but cannot ignore clear incidents that VAR failed to review. “We are not saying that the Argentine team was not strong, but we cannot remain silent in the face of injustice,” the source said. “There were three incidents that were crystal clear, and VAR did not intervene.”
Messi’s treble tied him with former Germany striker Miroslav Klose on 16 World Cup goals, the joint all-time record.
Algeria will face Jordan in their next Group J match on Monday before meeting Austria on June 27. The North Africans are seeking only their second appearance in the World Cup knockout phase, having last reached the last 16 in 2014.
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