2026 World Cup: Top 10 VAR Decisions That Have Sparked Controversy
The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) has once again come under intense scrutiny at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with several high-profile decisions generating heated debate among players, coaches, pundits and fans.
Now in its third World Cup since being introduced, VAR has been expanded to include additional powers, such as allowing officials to issue yellow cards in cases of mistaken identity.
Despite these changes, controversial decisions continue to dominate discussions throughout the tournament.
According to football website Planet Football, these are the 10 most controversial VAR incidents of the competition so far.
10. Argentina vs Egypt
Egypt had a second goal disallowed after VAR detected a foul earlier in the attacking move. Although the decision was considered technically correct, Egyptian players and officials questioned why the review extended so far back in the build-up, especially after they were denied a penalty moments before Argentina completed a comeback victory. Egypt later lodged a formal complaint with FIFA over the officiating.
9. England vs Ghana
Ghana were left frustrated after being denied a penalty when England defender Ezri Konsa brought down Prince Adu inside the penalty area during a goalless draw. The decision remains one of the tournament's most debated calls.
8. Brazil vs Scotland
Vinicius Junior had a goal ruled out after VAR judged that he had committed a slight foul on Scotland's Jack Hendry during the build-up. While Brazil still secured victory, the decision divided opinion.
7. Colombia vs Portugal
Colombia defender Davinson Sánchez had a goal disallowed after VAR ruled him marginally offside by millimetres. Former England striker Wayne Rooney strongly criticised the decision, insisting the defender appeared to be onside.
6. Ecuador vs Germany
Germany were allowed to keep a goal despite claims that Aleksandar Pavlovic caught Ecuador's Pedro Vite in the face while contesting the ball in the build-up. Critics argued the incident should have triggered an on-field VAR review.
5. Germany vs Paraguay
Germany's Jonathan Tah thought he had scored, but VAR ruled out the goal after determining that Waldemar Anton had unfairly impeded Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill from a corner. Many observers viewed the contact as too minimal to justify disallowing the goal.
4. Portugal vs Croatia
Croatia were denied a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser after Mario Pašalić was ruled offside. Officials determined that Igor Matanović had deliberately played the ball rather than it deflecting off a Portuguese defender, making the offside decision valid under the Laws of the Game, though it remained highly controversial.
3. France vs Senegal
France were denied a penalty after Sadio Mané appeared to foul Kylian Mbappé inside the penalty area. Following a VAR review, the referee upheld his original decision and also overturned a corner awarded to France, instead awarding Senegal a goal kick.
2. USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
United States forward Folarin Balogun was shown a red card after a VAR review for a challenge on Tarik Muharemović. The dismissal sparked widespread criticism, and Balogun's suspension was later overturned ahead of the USA's next match.
1. Argentina vs Algeria
The tournament's biggest VAR controversy involved Lionel Messi, who escaped a red card after a challenge on Algeria defender Aïssa Mandi. Despite calls for a dismissal, VAR did not recommend an on-field review, and the referee maintained his decision to award only a free-kick, making it the most contentious VAR incident of the 2026 World Cup so far.
As the tournament enters its decisive stages, VAR continues to influence major matches, with ongoing debates over consistency, interpretation of the rules and the technology's overall impact on the game.
Now in its third World Cup since being introduced, VAR has been expanded to include additional powers, such as allowing officials to issue yellow cards in cases of mistaken identity.
Despite these changes, controversial decisions continue to dominate discussions throughout the tournament.
According to football website Planet Football, these are the 10 most controversial VAR incidents of the competition so far.
10. Argentina vs Egypt
Egypt had a second goal disallowed after VAR detected a foul earlier in the attacking move. Although the decision was considered technically correct, Egyptian players and officials questioned why the review extended so far back in the build-up, especially after they were denied a penalty moments before Argentina completed a comeback victory. Egypt later lodged a formal complaint with FIFA over the officiating.
9. England vs Ghana
Ghana were left frustrated after being denied a penalty when England defender Ezri Konsa brought down Prince Adu inside the penalty area during a goalless draw. The decision remains one of the tournament's most debated calls.
8. Brazil vs Scotland
Vinicius Junior had a goal ruled out after VAR judged that he had committed a slight foul on Scotland's Jack Hendry during the build-up. While Brazil still secured victory, the decision divided opinion.
7. Colombia vs Portugal
Colombia defender Davinson Sánchez had a goal disallowed after VAR ruled him marginally offside by millimetres. Former England striker Wayne Rooney strongly criticised the decision, insisting the defender appeared to be onside.
6. Ecuador vs Germany
Germany were allowed to keep a goal despite claims that Aleksandar Pavlovic caught Ecuador's Pedro Vite in the face while contesting the ball in the build-up. Critics argued the incident should have triggered an on-field VAR review.
5. Germany vs Paraguay
Germany's Jonathan Tah thought he had scored, but VAR ruled out the goal after determining that Waldemar Anton had unfairly impeded Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill from a corner. Many observers viewed the contact as too minimal to justify disallowing the goal.
4. Portugal vs Croatia
Croatia were denied a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser after Mario Pašalić was ruled offside. Officials determined that Igor Matanović had deliberately played the ball rather than it deflecting off a Portuguese defender, making the offside decision valid under the Laws of the Game, though it remained highly controversial.
3. France vs Senegal
France were denied a penalty after Sadio Mané appeared to foul Kylian Mbappé inside the penalty area. Following a VAR review, the referee upheld his original decision and also overturned a corner awarded to France, instead awarding Senegal a goal kick.
2. USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
United States forward Folarin Balogun was shown a red card after a VAR review for a challenge on Tarik Muharemović. The dismissal sparked widespread criticism, and Balogun's suspension was later overturned ahead of the USA's next match.
1. Argentina vs Algeria
The tournament's biggest VAR controversy involved Lionel Messi, who escaped a red card after a challenge on Algeria defender Aïssa Mandi. Despite calls for a dismissal, VAR did not recommend an on-field review, and the referee maintained his decision to award only a free-kick, making it the most contentious VAR incident of the 2026 World Cup so far.
As the tournament enters its decisive stages, VAR continues to influence major matches, with ongoing debates over consistency, interpretation of the rules and the technology's overall impact on the game.
