Letexier to referee Argentina at 2026 World Cup: Argentine press and fans cry conspiracy

FIFA has entrusted François Letexier with refereeing the Round of 16 match of the 2026 World Cup between Argentina and Egypt, scheduled for Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. (French time). This appointment, announced on Sunday, immediately triggered a storm of protests in Argentina, where supporters and media see it as a conspiracy against the reigning world champions.

The French referee will be assisted by his compatriots Cyril Mugnier and Mehdi Rahmouni, while Norwegians Espen Eskas and Isaak Bashevkin will serve as fourth official and video assistant referee respectively. Letexier had already officiated at this tournament in Côte d’Ivoire – Ecuador (1-0) and Cape Verde – Saudi Arabia.

Following the announcement, Argentine social media erupted. “Unfair decision. This is ridiculous! What a coincidence!” reacted one supporter on X. Others directly called out Chiqui Tapia, president of the Argentine Football Association, and CONMEBOL, questioning their silence in the face of what they perceive as an affront. “They want France to win the World Cup at all costs,” summarized one user, while another pushed the reasoning further by invoking historical ties between France and Egypt dating back to the Napoleonic era.

Argentine mainstream media — La Nacion, TyC Sports and El Argentino — fueled the controversy by recalling the Prestianni affair. Last March, during the Champions League playoff between Real Madrid and Benfica Lisbon, Letexier had halted the match following allegedly racist and homophobic insults from Argentine Gianluca Prestianni toward Brazilian Vinicius Jr. Not sanctioned immediately, Prestianni ultimately received a six-match ban, three of which were suspended — a sentence deemed unjust in Argentina and now wielded as proof of the referee’s bias against the Albiceleste.

FIFA has not responded to the criticism. Letexier himself has already refereed at this level without his nationality sparking such controversy — but the prospect of a possible France-Argentina quarterfinal seems sufficient to transform a routine appointment into a matter of state.