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Planet Football

·12 July 2026

VAR has taken on a larger role — though not necessarily a better one — at the 2026 World Cup, prompting us to revisit its most contentious moments so far.

This is the third World Cup to feature VAR, and by now, many expected it to be a flawless system. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case.

The tournament has witnessed several debatable VAR calls. Some merely angered losing teams looking for excuses, but others have sparked genuine and lasting controversy.

At this edition, VAR has been granted expanded authority, including the ability to issue yellow cards in cases of mistaken identity.

In the last quarter-final, Switzerland’s Breel Embolo was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for simulation, a decision made through VAR intervention. Initially, Argentina’s Leandro Paredes had been booked for the foul.

That call was technically correct, even if Switzerland felt hard done by. However, the following 10 incidents — whether caused by VAR’s involvement or lack thereof — have been far more contentious during this World Cup.

Egypt believed they were on the verge of a major upset after taking a 2-0 lead against Argentina, but their joy was short-lived.

Their second goal was overturned by VAR for a foul much earlier in the build-up.

Although the foul itself was legitimate, Egypt were incensed at how far back in play the review went, especially since they felt they should have earned a penalty shortly before Argentina’s winning goal.

Egypt subsequently lodged a formal complaint with FIFA, with manager Hossam Hassan claiming the officiating favoured Argentina.

England were fortunate to escape with a goalless draw against Ghana in the group stage — a result that could easily have gone the other way.

When Ezri Konsa brought down Prince Adu inside the box, Ghana appealed for a penalty. The referee, however, dismissed their claims.

Konsa’s challenge appeared clumsy and arguably reckless — the kind of move that often results in a penalty. Ghana had every reason to feel aggrieved.

It was a harsh call, and any team in their position would have been furious.

Brazil, already leading Scotland by a goal, thought they had doubled their advantage when Vinicius Junior dispossessed Jack Hendry and scored.

But following a VAR review, Vinicius was adjudged to have committed a foul on Hendry — though contact was minimal at best.

Ultimately, Brazil still won the match comfortably, but at that moment, Scotland were handed a reprieve.

To the naked eye, Davinson Sanchez appeared onside when he found the net for Colombia against Portugal.

But after VAR drew its infamous lines, his toe was deemed offside by mere millimetres — a decision that reignited debates about the precision and fairness of such calls.

“It’s onside. I don’t care what they’re telling me or what data they’re showing,” exclaimed Wayne Rooney during his BBC punditry duties, echoing the frustrations of many fans.

Germany struck early against Ecuador, but numerous viewers believed their opener should never have counted.

Pedro Vite was already on the turf after Aleksandar Pavlovic’s boot caught him in the head during the build-up.

Pavlovic had gone for the ball but made contact with Vite’s face before Germany converted the chance.

VAR allowed the goal to stand, despite the apparent foul in the sequence — a decision that many felt warranted a closer review.

Germany’s shock elimination at the hands of Paraguay in the round of 32 came with controversy, as the Germans insisted they had a legitimate goal wrongly ruled out that would have given them a 2-1 lead.

A corner from Nathaniel Brown was headed in by Jonathan Tah past Paraguay’s goalkeeper Orlando Gill.

However, VAR intervened, ruling that Gill had been unfairly impeded by Waldemar Anton as the corner was delivered.

The contact appeared minimal, as Gill was upright and seemingly unbothered by the time Tah’s header crossed the line.

Croatia thought they had salvaged their World Cup hopes with a stoppage-time equaliser against Portugal in the round of 32.

Trailing 2-1, Josko Gvardiol smashed home from close range, sending Croatian fans into raptures — but the celebrations were short-lived.

New FIFA technology revealed that Igor Matanovic had slightly touched the ball before Mario Pasalic, who was in an offside position, set up Gvardiol.

Though this justified the offside call, many argued the goal should have stood since the ball had deflected off a Portugal defender en route. However, officials ruled the defender’s touch was not deliberate, confirming Pasalic’s offside and ending Croatia’s campaign.

When France pressed for a goal against Senegal, they appealed for a penalty after Sadio Mane’s sliding challenge brought down Kylian Mbappe.

The referee denied the appeal, awarding France a corner instead. VAR then recommended a review.

Replays showed Mane failed to make contact with the ball, yet the referee upheld his initial decision, claiming Mbappe initiated the collision. To make matters worse for France, the corner was overturned in favour of a goal kick.

The controversy even drew attention from outside football, with former US President Donald Trump weighing in — only adding to the storm.

USA forward Folarin Balogun was sent off following a VAR review in their clash with Bosnia and Herzegovina after his studs landed on Tarik Muharemovic’s calf.

Though the incident appeared accidental, slow-motion replays made it seem more severe, prompting the referee to issue a red card. Balogun’s suspension for the next match was later rescinded.

One of Lionel Messi’s finest World Cup campaigns began with a hat-trick against Algeria — but not before Argentina’s rivals claimed he should have been sent off.

Messi caught Aissa Mandi with his studs on the calf during the first half, which, by the letter of the law, could have warranted a red card.

Yet VAR did not even recommend a review, allowing the referee’s decision to award only a free kick to stand.