Argentina’s World Cup has acquired an Asterisk

Argentina's path to the 2026 World Cup semi-finals has become inseparable from a growing refereeing controversy. From Messi's escaped red card to the VAR decisions against Egypt and Switzerland, the debate is no longer about isolated incidents but about consistency. This article examines why journalists, former players and national associations are increasingly questioning whether football's biggest tournament is still being officiated by the same standard for everyone.