Algerian broadcaster blames ‘Jewish lobby’ for referee decision favoring Argentina's Messi due to anti-Israel policies

To the disappointment of Israeli soccer fans, Israel once again failed to qualify for the World Cup, falling short in the highly competitive European qualifying tournament, where it competes because political tensions in the region prevent it from playing in Middle Eastern competitions.

However, a record eight Arab countries qualified this year, including Israel’s peace partners Egypt, Jordan, and Morocco, as well as Saudi Arabia and countries like Tunisia, Iraq, and Qatar who do not maintain relations with Israel.

Curiously, the eighth country is Algeria, which has no relations with Israel and expelled most of its Jewish population decades ago, yet anti-Israel and antisemitic narratives continue to feature prominently in parts of its public discourse.

Last Wednesday, an Algerian broadcaster sparked controversy after using an analysis of Algeria’s 3-0 loss to defending world champion Argentina to advance claims about alleged Jewish influence over a refereeing decision.

🇩🇿 Algeria Sports TV Channel, June 17, 2026: Following Algeria’s 3–0 World Cup loss to Argentina, Algerian journalist Mustafa Al-Muizzawi accused Lionel Messi of being protected by “the Jewish lobby,” calling them a “mafia” that “controls the world.” pic.twitter.com/zjZGimB2xm

— Combat Antisemitism Movement (@CombatASemitism) June 21, 2026

Before scoring the second of his three goals, Argentine star Lionel Messi appeared fortunate to avoid a red card after seemingly stepping on the leg of Algerian defender Aïssa Mandi. The incident went unnoticed by the referee, though some observers argued it could have warranted a sending-off.

The country later filed an official complaint with FIFA over this incident, along with two others.

But Algerian journalist Mustafa Al-Muizzawi claimed to know the reason, saying, “Messi is protected. They acknowledged that. Messi is protected by the Jewish lobby. This lobby controls the world; they run it however they want, as if they were the mafia,” he claimed.

He further alleged, without providing evidence, that Israel was exerting influence on FIFA President Gianni Infantino in an effort to disadvantage Algeria because of its political position on Israel.

“Infantino doesn't want us to do well. We are a country with dignity; we are a country named Algeria. We have political stances regarding Western Sahara and the Palestinian issue, and therefore they don't want us to do well. If we had the ability to win the World Cup, they would prevent it from us,” Al-Muizzawi said, without being challenged by the other journalists present.

Algeria has indeed been at the forefront of the struggle against Israel, taking part in fighting Israel through international forums like the United Nations during the recent wars.

The country is also aligned against Israel and Morocco through its support for the Polisario Front, a terror group seeking independence for Western Sahara that is allegedly supported by Iran and Hezbollah and has long-standing ties to Palestinian terror groups.

In a 2026 proposal for a bill to designate Polisario a terror group, Sen. Ted Cruz said, “The Iranian regime is trying to turn the Polisario Front into the Houthis of West Africa and use them to undermine the national security of the United States and our allies. The Polisario Front is working with Iranian terrorist groups, receiving drones from the IRGC, and moving weapons around the region on behalf of the Iranian regime.”

The comments drew attention due to prior controversies involving antisemitic rhetoric in parts of Algerian media and public discourse.

In 2014, the Anti-Defamation League reported that Algeria ranked among the countries surveyed with high levels of antisemitic attitudes, estimating that approximately 87% of respondents held such views.

Algeria is 99% Muslim and has no official diplomatic relations with Israel. It was also the first country to recognize a Palestinian state in 1988.