Algeria has had enough and filed a complaint with FIFA regarding an incident involving Lionel Messi at the 2026 World Cup.
Algeria has filed a complaint with FIFA, criticizing the referee for not issuing a red card to Messi.
This follows the 2026 World Cup group stage match where Argentina defeated Algeria 3-0.
It was recently reported that the Algerian Football Federation submitted a complaint to FIFA concerning referee Szymon Marciniak and the VAR team's errors during the match.
The main issue occurred in the 32nd minute when Algeria believed Lionel Messi should have been sent off for stepping on the calf of Algeria's captain Aissa Mandi. However, the referee did not even issue a yellow card, and the VAR team did not review the incident. Algeria argues Messi deserved a red card for this foul.
Another incident in the 74th minute involved Algeria claiming that Argentina's midfielder Alexis Mac Allister deliberately elbowed Algeria's Ibrahim Maza in the penalty area, causing him to fall. The referee did not award a penalty nor a red card to Mac Allister. Algeria believes Mac Allister should have been sent off and Algeria should have been awarded a penalty for this incident.
FIFA has not yet responded to the Algerian Football Federation's complaint. Algeria's next group stage match in the 2026 World Cup is against Jordan on 23 June.