Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has firmly rejected allegations that his team is receiving preferential treatment from FIFA during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting that the criticism has only motivated his players ahead of their crucial quarter-final clash against Switzerland.
The defending champions have faced growing scrutiny over their route to the last eight, with critics questioning refereeing decisions, VAR interventions, and what they describe as a favourable knockout draw. The debate intensified after Argentina’s dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Egypt in the Round of 16, where Egyptian officials and supporters alleged that controversial officiating decisions benefited Lionel Messi’s side.
Addressing the controversy before Saturday’s quarter-final, Scaloni admitted that the criticism has reached the dressing room but said his squad is using it as motivation rather than allowing it to become a distraction. “There are probably many people who don’t want us to win because we won the last World Cup,” Scaloni said, adding that his players channel such comments into improving their performances on the pitch.
The Argentina manager also dismissed claims that accusations of FIFA favouritism are anything new. Drawing comparisons with the country’s successful 1986 World Cup campaign, Scaloni said Argentina has long been the subject of similar allegations whenever it performs well in major tournaments. According to him, such narratives have existed for decades and are part of the pressure that comes with representing one of football’s biggest nations.
Scaloni also defended the use of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), which came under renewed criticism after Egypt had a second-half goal ruled out for a foul earlier in the attacking move. The Argentine coach maintained that tournament officials had clearly explained the implementation of VAR before the competition and insisted that the technology was being applied consistently and according to the laws of the game.
“There is no double interpretation with VAR,” Scaloni said, stressing that referees have followed the guidelines exactly as they were presented to participating teams before the tournament began.
Argentina will now take on Switzerland in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-finals, with a place in the last four at stake. A victory would move Lionel Messi and his teammates one step closer to reaching a second consecutive FIFA World Cup final as they continue their title defence.