Egypt's World Cup approach and VAR tech spark debate ahead of Argentina clash

Egyptian national team coach Hossam Hassan said he deliberately avoided mentioning Lionel Messi by name before the Round of 16 match against Argentina at the 2026 World Cup, referring only to the opponent’s “number 10” to keep his players focused on tactics rather than the star’s reputation. He also criticised several refereeing decisions that he felt disrupted his side’s attacking rhythm.

The same match highlighted the growing role of technology in modern football. FIFA‑approved sensor‑filled balls and semi‑automated off‑side systems enabled officials to overturn a goal by Egyptian striker Mustafa Ziko after a VAR review, reigniting debate over whether high‑precision tools enhance fairness or diminish the game’s spontaneity. Similar tech‑driven incidents, such as a cancelled goal in the Portugal‑Croatia Round of 32, underline the sport’s shifting balance between human judgment and data‑driven decisions.