Argentina opened their World Cup 2026 campaign with a 3-0 victory over Algeria in Kansas City, a match decided by a Lionel Messi hat-trick but immediately overshadowed by a formal officiating complaint. The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) confirmed on Friday that it had submitted a letter to FIFA’s refereeing commission, contesting two specific incidents that it argues should have resulted in red cards and VAR reviews. Algerian state television reported that the complaint also flagged a third challenge, an elbow on Anis Hadj Moussa, though the primary focus remained on the challenges involving Messi and Mac Allister.

The first incident, in the 31st minute, saw Messi plant his studs on the calf of Algeria captain Aissa Mandi. Referee Szymon Marciniak, who officiated the 2022 World Cup final, took no disciplinary action, and the VAR team led by his compatriot Tomasz Kwiatkowski did not intervene. The second occurred in the 74th minute, when Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister caught Ibrahim Maza in the face with a raised elbow; again, no sanction was applied. Algerian officials maintain that both challenges met the threshold for a sending-off and that their absence fundamentally altered the contest, a view amplified by domestic media and supporters who pointed to the subsequent hat-trick from Messi.

The controversy resonated beyond North Africa. South Africa coach Hugo Broos, speaking earlier in the week, contrasted the decision not to sanction Messi with the three-match suspension handed to his own midfielder Themba Zwane for a less forceful infraction against Mexico. Across social media and international football commentary, the episode reignited debate over whether star players are officiated differently, a discussion that has been particularly pointed in African football circles. The complaint arrived as Algeria’s coach Vladimir Petkovic had publicly rebuked his squad for showing excessive respect to the world champions, but the federation’s move shifted attention squarely onto the officiating.

Argentina, now top of Group J, travel to Dallas to face Austria on Monday. Algeria, left without a point, head to San Francisco for a meeting with Jordan that has assumed early must-win significance. FIFA’s refereeing committee is expected to acknowledge the complaint, though any review would be procedural and cannot reverse the on-field result.