---
source: thedugout.football
generated: 2026-06-17T13:11:15.496Z
last_updated: 2026-06-16T11:18:10+00:00
data_provider: API-Football
canonical: https://thedugout.football/clubs/brighton/news/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhlYXJndXMuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvMjYxOTg3MjQud29ybGQtY3VwLWRyYW1hLWJyaWdodG9ucy1tYXgtZGUtY3V5cGVyLW1vLXNhbGFoLz9yZWY9cnNz
---

# Did De Cuyper get away with one in this World Cup incident?

- **Source:** 
- **Published:** 16 Jun
- **Club:** Brighton
- **Original URL:** https://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/26198724.world-cup-drama-brightons-max-de-cuyper-mo-salah/?ref=rss

Brighton and Hove Albion FC Football Sport

Max De Cuyper was at the centre of a World Cup refereeing debate as he made a belated entry into tournament football.

But Mo Salah stepped in to calm things down as tempers threatened to flare.

The Albion left-back was named on the bench by Belgium for their opener against Egypt.

Timothy Castagne of Fulham got the start but De Cuyper jointed the action on 57 minutes with his side a goal down.

He showed his customary willingness to attack, including in the move when Romelu Lukaku’s presence forced an own goal to bring Belgium level.

de cuyper; hossam hassan pic.twitter.com/22q5jY5X6Z

— ◇ (@F0RGIAT0) June 15, 2026

Egypt felt they should have had a penalty in added time for a challenge by De Cuyper as he held on to Zizo, who was trying to cut inside him.

Hossam Hassan, the Pharaohs’ coach, was furious as he remonstrated to the referee.

Salah stepped in to pull his boss away as De Cuyper, who was on a yellow card, got away with his rather clumsy intervention.

Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia talks to the team during the draw with Egypt (Image: AP Photo/Maddy Grassy)

De Cuyper was an unused substitute in all four of Belgium’s games at Euro 2024 but is willing to put that experience to good use.

He said: “I think it was a very good experience for me.

Albion target could be a 'generational' player says his ex-coach Why Costinha believes Brighton can be home from home Why Yohanna's 'second father' expects him to thrill at Albion

“It can be an advantage, because I saw already the kind of atmosphere, how it is during those types of games and how it is a different pressure than a normal game.

“It's nice I had it already with the Euros. So, I think that's quite an advantage.”

Belgium face Iran in Los Angeles on Sunday.