French referee François Letexier has become one of the most talked-about officials at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after his controversial performance during the Round of 16 clash between Argentina and Egypt. While Argentina secured a dramatic 3-2 victory to reach the quarter-finals, much of the global discussion shifted away from the players and focused on the referee’s key decisions.

Born on 23 April 1989 in Bédée, France, Letexier began refereeing at a young age and quickly climbed through the ranks of French football. He made his Ligue 1 debut in 2016 and earned his FIFA international badge in 2017. His calm style, fitness, and decision-making earned him recognition as one of UEFA’s elite referees.

Throughout his career, Letexier has officiated several of football’s biggest matches. He took charge of the 2023 UEFA Super Cup, handled high-profile UEFA Champions League knockout matches, and became the youngest referee in history to officiate a UEFA Euro final when he oversaw the Euro 2024 final between Spain and England. These appointments established him as one of Europe’s most trusted officials.

However, controversy has not been absent from his career. In Ligue 1, several of his decisions have sparked heated debates, including disputed penalty calls and red cards. On more than one occasion, his decisions led to criticism from clubs and supporters, with some incidents even resulting in online abuse and threats. Despite the criticism, UEFA and FIFA continued to appoint him to major international competitions because of his overall performance and experience.

His biggest controversy arrived during the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the Round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt. The game featured multiple VAR reviews and several highly debated decisions. Egypt believed they were unfairly treated after a goal was ruled out following a VAR intervention, while they also appealed for a late penalty involving Mohamed Salah that was not awarded. Shortly afterward, Argentina scored the decisive goal to win 3-2.

Following the match, the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) submitted a formal complaint to FIFA. The federation questioned the consistency of the officiating and requested that Letexier and his officiating team be removed from the remainder of the tournament. Egyptian coach Hossam Hassan and several players publicly criticized the referee’s decisions, arguing that they had a significant influence on the outcome of the match.

Despite the intense criticism, FIFA’s refereeing leadership defended the officiating team. FIFA’s Head of Refereeing, Pierluigi Collina, stated that the VAR decisions followed the Laws of the Game and rejected suggestions that the officials were biased. FIFA emphasized that all major decisions were reviewed according to established protocols.

Whether fans agree or disagree with his decisions, François Letexier remains one of the world’s highest-profile football referees. The Argentina vs Egypt match has become one of the defining talking points of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and has once again highlighted how referees and VAR continue to shape the biggest matches in world football.