World Cup 2026: Controversial Referee and VAR Decisions Impact Group Stage Matches

New York. Some controversial decisions were made by on-field referees and video assistant referees (VAR) during the group stage of the World Cup 2026. In some instances, teams lost opportunities to reach the knockout stages and secure important victories due to this technology.

Iranian Supporters Disappointed as Goal is Disallowed

The most controversial decision was seen in the 1-1 draw between Iran and Egypt on Friday. In the third minute of injury time, Shoja Khalilzadeh's goal, scored after entering the field, was disallowed after a VAR review. Defender Khalilzadeh's excellent goal from close range had sparked celebrations at Seattle Stadium. That goal would have put Iran into the knockout stage for the first time. However, Iran's joy turned to disappointment when VAR ruled Khalilzadeh offside. The replay showed it was a very close call, with him being barely a millimeter offside.

• Sanchez Offside by a Narrow Margin, Denying Colombia Victory

In a competitive match in Miami on Saturday, Davinson Sanchez thought he had scored a goal in injury time to give Colombia victory against Portugal. He headed in a cross from Juan Quintero. However, before Sanchez could run to the corner flag to celebrate, the linesman raised the offside flag. The goal replay showed Sanchez was offside by the tip of his toe. This decision made Colombians feel that their chance to maintain a 100% winning record in the tournament was lost.

This kind of offside is nonsense. He’s offside because of the size of his shoe? Come on. It’s so extreme. pic.twitter.com/tTWFkniicm

— Zito (@_Zeets) June 28, 2026

• Ghana Denied Penalty Against England in Goalless Draw

Ghana received widespread praise for their excellent performance in a goalless draw against England on Tuesday. However, Ghana's supporters were disappointed, believing the outcome would have been different if they had been awarded a penalty. In the 79th minute of the match in Boston, England's Ezri Konsa tackled Prince Kwabena Adu, who was advancing with the ball, inside the penalty box. Defender Konsa did not touch the ball and hit forward Adu's knee. However, the referee did not award a penalty. This decision could have been a great opportunity for Ghana to take the lead. After the match, a disappointed Ghana coach Carlo Quieroz said, 'VAR had gone for coffee.'

Clear penalty for Ghana but there wasn’t even a VAR check. pic.twitter.com/z7D1KPf4bo

— The Sports Pulse (@Tsportspulse) June 23, 2026

• Vinícius Júnior's Goal Disallowed in Victory Against Scotland

In the 22nd minute of the match, Vinícius Júnior thought he had doubled Brazil's lead with an excellent goal after dispossessing Scotland defender Jack Hendry near the penalty box. However, VAR advised the referee to conduct an 'on-field review'. The referee disallowed the goal, ruling that Vinícius had fouled Hendry before scoring. As it was only minimal contact, the decision became highly controversial.

Although Brazil won that match in Miami 3-0, the president of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), Samir Jawad, later wrote a letter to FIFA. He requested attention to the uniformity in VAR intervention criteria and referee appointments.

• Ecuador Upset as Sané's Goal is Validated Despite Foul

Although Ecuador lost 2-1 to Germany on Thursday, the single goal scored by Leroy Sané for Germany was controversial. Within two minutes of the game starting, Sané scored with his first shot from the penalty area from a pass by Florian Wirtz. However, in the move leading up to the goal, Aleksandar Pavlović raised his boot and hit Pedro Vite's head. Ecuador was upset that no foul was given for this. VAR did not intervene in this, and the goal was validated.