Ex-Egypt Boss Tardelli Claims Referees Helped Argentina

Former Egypt coach Marco Tardelli has accused match officials of helping Argentina reach the 2026 World Cup final.

The Italian’s remarks revived the debate that followed the holders’ controversial win over the Pharaohs.

Speaking on Rai 1’s Notti Mondiali before Sunday’s World Cup final, Tardelli questioned Argentina’s route through the knockout stages. esporist.com

“Argentina had to reach the final, and certain referees got them there,” Tardelli said. “It seems they have friends in high places.”

The 1982 World Cup winner did not identify any officials or provide evidence for his allegation.

Tardelli’s comments follow several refereeing disputes involving Argentina during the tournament. The most significant controversy for Egypt came during the round-of-16 meeting in Atlanta.

Egypt led 2-0 before Argentina scored three times in the final 11 minutes to win 3-2. However, the Pharaohs disputed several decisions by French referee Francois Letexier and his VAR team.

VAR advised Letexier to disallow a goal by Mostafa Ziko with Egypt leading 1-0. Officials identified a foul by Marwan Attia on Lisandro Martinez earlier in the attacking move.

Ziko later doubled Egypt’s lead, but Cristian Romero and Lionel Messi brought Argentina level. Egypt then demanded a penalty after Julian Alvarez challenged Mohamed Salah inside the area.

Letexier allowed play to continue, and Argentina launched the attack that produced Fernandez’s stoppage-time winner.

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan described the officiating as unfair and claimed the tournament was “directed towards Argentina”. The Egyptian Football Association also questioned the consistency of the decisions and VAR’s application.

FIFA refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina subsequently rejected allegations of bias. He said VAR correctly identified Attia’s foul before Ziko’s disallowed goal.

Collina also backed the decision involving Salah and Alvarez. Officials viewed the incident as normal contact after Alvarez played the ball.

“Nobody can question the integrity of the FIFA World Cup match officials,” Collina said in a FIFA interview. He added that nobody, including FIFA’s president, could influence the refereeing team.

Tardelli coached Egypt during their 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign in 2004. The EFA dismissed him after a 2-1 defeat away to Libya damaged the Pharaohs’ qualification hopes.

Argentina will face Spain at the New York New Jersey Stadium after beating England 2-1 in the semi-finals. Lionel Scaloni’s side came from behind through late goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez.

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East Rutherford, United States: It was a World Cup in which football's biggest names sprinkled stardust over the tournament, yet in the end the trophy deservingly went to a formidable if unspectacular Spain side who were simply too strong, even without Lamine Yamal being at his thrilling best.

The 19-year-old winger was the focus of so much attention, but he initially struggled to find full fitness and finished with just one goal, in a group-stage win over Saudi Arabia.

This World Cup, the first to feature 48 teams, had an average of 2.96 goals per game, making it the most prolific since 1970.

Spain scored only 14 times in eight games, but they take the trophy home after silencing Lionel Messi and defeating a disappointing Argentina 1-0 at the end of extra time at the MetLife Stadium on Sunday.

La Roja completely outplayed the defending champions, but needed a Ferran Torres goal in the 106th minute to become world champions for the second time.

The key to their success was a remarkable defence which conceded only once in the whole competition, against Belgium in the quarter-finals.

Protecting that defence as brilliantly as ever was the captain Rodri, and it was telling that he was named player of the tournament rather than Messi, Kylian Mbappe or any of the other attacking superstars on display.

There were echoes of 2010 in South Africa, when Spain won their first World Cup with a fantastic side whose success was also built around a watertight back line.

"When you don't concede I think it is much easier to win," said Marc Cucurella, the floppy-haired full-back who recently signed for Real Madrid from Chelsea.

"We attack together and defend together, and that is one of the key things about this team."

Rodri outshines Messi

Messi and Argentina did not muster a single shot on target as their attempts to become the first team to successfully defend the World Cup since 1962 fell flat.

In the semi-finals, Spain had also shut out France's remarkable attack, including Mbappe who still ended the tournament as the top scorer with 10 goals.

"If you could speak to all the gloves I have worn in this World Cup, I think they would tell you they didn't have much work to do," joked goalkeeper Unai Simon.

Behind Mbappe and Messi, who got eight goals, in the race for the golden boot were Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland, reigning Ballon d'Or Ousmane Dembele, and Harry Kane.

Some of the most recognisable faces of this World Cup, but their teams could not match Spain, who are the first country to be world and European champions at the same time since they did the double themselves in 2008 and 2010.

The future looks just as bright -- Yamal and fellow 19-year-old Pau Cubarsi are now part of an elite group of only 10 players ever to have won the World Cup as teenagers.

Hosts in 2030

Coach Luis de la Fuente, who took over following the disappointing last-16 exit at the 2022 World Cup, is a veteran at 65 but has achieved astonishing results and has a contract until Euro 2028.

Before the tournament, so much attention was on the big-name coaches who came into international football with huge reputations.

Carlo Ancelotti and Thomas Tuchel failed to live up to the expectations of Brazil and England respectively, while Mauricio Pochettino could only lead the United States to the last 16 and Julian Nagelsmann's Germany disappointed.

"These players are exceptionally talented and it is an honour to accompany them," said De la Fuente, happy to stand back and let them bask in the glory.

The last two decades have seen Spain firmly shake off their reputation as international football's great underachievers, and they have now won two World Cups and three European Championships since 2008, as well as one UEFA Nations League.

They will be back in action in just two months with Nations League games against England and Croatia.

For now, though, they can enjoy being world champions again, and think about the tantalising prospect of defending the trophy in 2030 -- that will be the first time in World Cup history that the holders have defended the title on home soil.

DOHA: When the FIFA World Cup began in North America, every nation dreamed of lifting the trophy. Four weeks and 104 matches later, a handful of players separated themselves from the rest through consistency, leadership and match-winning performances.

Some lifted the trophy, others fell just short, but all left an unforgettable mark on football's biggest stage. Here is The Peninsula's Team of the Tournament.

Goalkeeper: Unai Simón (Spain)

Spain's triumph was built on the strongest defence in the tournament, and Unai Simón was its final line. Calm with the ball at his feet and assured whenever called upon, the Athletic Club goalkeeper conceded just one goal throughout Spain's title-winning campaign and claimed the tournament's Best Goalkeeper award. His composure allowed Spain to play confidently from the back and provided the platform for their second World Cup crown.

Right-back: Pedro Porro (Spain)

Pedro Porro combined defensive discipline with constant attacking support down the right flank. His energy allowed Spain to stretch opponents while remaining dependable in defence, making him one of the tournament's most complete full-backs. His performances grew stronger as the knockout rounds progressed.

Centre-back: Pau Cubarsí (Spain)

At just 19, Pau Cubarsí played with the maturity of a veteran. The Barcelona defender read the game superbly, rarely looked troubled and anchored Spain's defence throughout the tournament. His performances earned him the Young Player of the Tournament award, confirming his arrival among football's brightest young defenders.

Centre-back: Dayot Upamecano (France)

France ultimately fell short of the title, but Upamecano was central to another deep World Cup run. Strong in the air, composed under pressure and dominant in one-on-one situations, the Bayern Munich defender provided stability against some of the tournament's most dangerous attacks.

Left-back: Djed Spence (England)

One of England's biggest success stories was the emergence of Djed Spence. Solid defensively and fearless going forward, he offered width, pace and recovery speed throughout England's run to third place. His consistency made him one of the tournament's standout full-backs.

Defensive Midfield: Rodri (Spain)

No player controlled the tournament quite like Rodri. The Manchester City midfielder dictated Spain's tempo, broke up opposition attacks and rarely wasted possession. His influence extended far beyond statistics, earning him the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player and underlining why he remains the heartbeat of both club and country.

Central Midfield: Jude Bellingham (England)

England's campaign was driven by Jude Bellingham. He combined goals with leadership and delivered in the biggest moments, including decisive knockout-stage contributions. His ability to influence matches at both ends of the pitch confirmed why he is regarded as one of football's finest midfielders.

Central Midfield: Michael Olise (France)

No player created more opportunities than Michael Olise. The France winger finished as the tournament's leading assist provider, repeatedly unlocking defences with his vision, delivery and creativity. While others scored the headlines, Olise supplied many of the decisive moments.

Right Wing: Lionel Messi (Argentina)

At 39, Lionel Messi once again reminded the football world why he remains among the greatest players of all time. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner inspired Argentina to another World Cup final, combining goals, creativity and leadership throughout the tournament. Even as a new generation emerged, Messi continued to define the biggest occasions.

Centre Forward: Erling Haaland (Norway)

Norway's remarkable World Cup journey would not have been possible without Erling Haaland. His power, movement and ruthless finishing carried his country into the latter stages, while his goals against Brazil produced one of the tournament's biggest knockout upsets. He finished among the competition's leading scorers and confirmed his status as one of the world's elite strikers.

Left Wing: Kylian Mbappé (France)

No player was more decisive in front of goal than Kylian Mbappé. France may have fallen short of the trophy, but the captain finished as the Golden Boot winner after scoring 10 goals and adding four assists. The tournament also saw him become the FIFA World Cup's all-time leading goalscorer with 22 goals. Every time France needed inspiration, Mbappé delivered.

Spain provide four players after lifting the trophy, while finalists Argentina, semi-finalists France and England, and surprise package Norway complete a side that reflects both collective excellence and individual brilliance. Together, these 11 players produced the defining performances of World Cup 2026 and earned their place in The Peninsula Team of the Tournament.

Oslo: From oil workers to healthcare staff, even children in daycare, all of Norway is getting in on a viral trend to support their team in the World Cup: pretending to row aboard a longship, flags in hand.

The "Viking row" draws on old Norwegian rowing traditions tied to life around fjords, lakes and the sea, according to tourism promoter Visit Norway.

Since the start of this year's World Cup, social media has been flooded with videos of Norwegian fans dressed in red, white and blue.

They sit down on the ground in groups. Then stretch their arms out and mimic rowing a boat.

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They rock back and forth in unison while chanting: "Row, row, row!"

Sidewalks, stadiums, as well as subway platforms and a host of unexpected places serve as imaginary longboats.

On Tuesday, a group of supporters gathered in Times Square in New York while facing a gigantic outdoor yoga class.

The stunt symbolises Norwegian Vikings approaching the shore, ready for battle.

Some of their Swedish neighbours are less than impressed.

"We just sigh when we see it. But maybe we're sighing more at the TV crews that zoom in on it every single time," Swedish defender Gustaf Lagerbielke said at a press conference, Swedish news agency TT reported.

The feeling is shared by Elliot Stroud, a midfielder in the Swedish national team.

"It's a bit overplayed maybe, it feels like they put it on every chance they get. But things are going well for them so they're happy, I guess," Stroud said.

Lagerbielke and Stroud will have to put up with it for a bit longer as Norway -- who play their final group game later Friday against France -- are through to the last 32.