Algeria files FIFA complaint over refereeing in 3-0 loss to Argentina

Algeria's Football Federation has formally complained to FIFA over refereeing decisions in its 3-0 defeat to Argentina in the first match of Group 10 in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, TSA Tout sur l'Algérie reported. The complaint centers on two incidents. In the 32nd minute, Algerian officials argue that Argentina captain Lionel Messi's challenge on defender Issa Mandi warranted a red card, but Polish referee Szymon Marciniak and the VAR system made no ruling. In the 74th minute, they contend that Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister struck Algerian Ibrahim Maza with an elbow inside the penalty area, and that the referee did not award a penalty to Algeria. The Algerian Federation included both incidents in its official complaint, arguing that the decisions directly affected the course of the match. No response from FIFA was immediately available.