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MYSTERIOUS: 2 - You Need To See This

Mission creep: FIFA's embrace of technology backfires in controversy-riven World Cup

Technology's integration into World Cup refereeing has ignited significant controversy and debate. VAR interventions have led to numerous disputes and accusations of unfairness. Coaches and players express frustration over inconsistent application and perceived over-reach. FIFA officials defend the technology's role in correcting clear errors. Fans voice their displeasure through boos,…

The Economic Times

The 11 Most Controversial Refereeing Decisions at the 2026 World Cup—Ranked

VAR and refereeing inconsistency have taken center stage this summer.

Sports Illustrated

Refereeing at this World Cup has been fine, we don’t need input of Tuchel and Trump

Give or take the odd error, officials have got it right on most occasions, while VAR has helped them when they haven’t

The Guardian - UK

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Could Jarell Quansah's red card be suspended after shock Folarin Balogun decision?

England given fresh hope ahead of World Cup quarter-final clash after FIFA controversy

Evening Standard

Trump intervention sparks World Cup storm as Fifa clears Balogun to face Belgium

WASHINGTON/SEATTLE - The United States’ World Cup campaign took an extraordinary turn on Sunday when Fifa made the unprecedented decision to suspend Folarin Balogun’s automatic red-card ‌ban, clearing the striker to face Belgium in Monday's last-16 clash after US President Donald Trump personally urged Fifa President Gianni Infantino to review…

Bangkok Post

Thomas Tuchel slams Mexico vs England referee after Harry Kane penalty controversy

Three Lions captain conceded a penalty immediately after converting from 12-yards himself

Evening Standard

What is 'Snicko'? World Cup VAR drama explained after Portugal vs Croatia chaos

Cricket-style technology used to rule out Josko Gvardiol’s last-gasp equaliser in dramatic last-32 thriller

Evening Standard

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Martínez says there was no ‘lucky call’ after record four goals ruled out in Portugal win

Roberto Martínez commended the numerous VAR interventions that helped Portugal past Croatia after his team narrowly edged an incident-packed match to progress to the last 16 of the World Cup

The Guardian - UK

‘Typical Fifa’: Why lack of World Cup appeal process for Folarin Balogun’s red card is completely inadequate

The United States are unable to challenge what looked a harsh red card for their striker under Fifa’s World Cup rules

The Independent UK

Co-hosts USA beat Bosnia-Herzegovina to reach World Cup last 16

Folarin Balogun scored before being sent off as the United States defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 on Wednesday to reach the World Cup last 16. Balogun struck just before halftime but was later dismissed following a nasty clash with Bosnia's Tarik Muharemovic. Malik Tillman sealed a US victory with a…

France 24

One rule for Messi, another for Balogun? USA striker sees red in World Cup after controversial VAR call

The USA’s star player at this World Cup, who scored his team’s opener against Bosnia, was sent-off in the second-half

The Independent UK

Henry Winter's England dispatch from Atlanta 'Harry Kane’s response to England’s journey towards ignominy showcased all the strengths to his game'

England's captain produced arguably his greatest spell in an England shirt to rescue his country and then drag them over the line vs DR Congo

FourFourTwo

Iran’s knockout status hangs by a thread after most dramatic – and agonising – World Cup moment so far

Egypt 1-1 Iran: Iran defender Shojae Khalilzadeh’s stoppage-time winner was disallowed by VAR, denying the war-torn nation a guaranteed spot in the knockout stages. Egypt are through; Iran must now wait

The Independent UK

Why Vinicius Jr’s goal for Brazil against Scotland was controversially disallowed by VAR

Pundits were split over whether the VAR decision to rule out Vini Jr’s second effort, after a supposed foul on Jack Hendry, was correct

The Independent UK

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The National (Scotland)

Ex-ref claims Scotland 'fortunate' over Brazil goal VAR call as pundit left stunned

Evening Standard

'VAR went for a coffee!' England 'extremely lucky' as Ghana denied 'clear' penalty in World Cup stalemate

Carlos Queiroz left bemused after Ezri Konsa’s risky challenge on Prince Kwabena Adu goes unpunished

The Independent UK

Why USA’s second goal against Australia was allowed to stand after VAR review

Co-hosts USA faced Australia in their second World Cup match in Seattle on Friday. USA went in front in the 11th minute through a Cameron Burgess own goal and Alex Freeman put the ball in the net again shortly before halftime as he headed the ball home from close range…

The Independent UK

Why Harry Kane’s missed penalty was overturned by VAR in England v Croatia

England were awarded a penalty after Luka Modric brought down Noni Madueke in the penalty area

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Evening Standard

Why did Harry Kane retake his penalty in England vs Croatia?

Three Lions caught up in VAR drama minutes into World Cup campaign

Evening Standard

Why were France not awarded a penalty for Kylian Mbappe incident against Senegal?

VAR controversy has reached the global stage

FourFourTwo

FIFA statement confirms cause of 'distrustful' VAR error in Switzerland vs Qatar

VAR error led to controversy during the World Cup 2026 draw between Switzerland and Qatar

The Guardian - UK

World Cup official cleared by Fifa and says gesture was ‘subconscious twitch’

Fifa found no evidence Shaun Evans had breached Fifa’s ethics code and he clarified: ‘The movement was an involuntary, subconscious twitch’

The Independent UK

VAR will punish more divers at the World Cup – but only in one scenario

Miguel Almiron was retrospectively punished by VAR for diving after USA defender Tim Ream was incorrectly booked in the incident

FourFourTwo

Gary Neville slams 'distrustful' VAR call in Switzerland vs Qatar

Gary Neville was not happy with the referee and VAR after Switzerland were awarded a penalty despite what appeared to be an offside in the build-up

FourFourTwo

Is there VAR in the World Cup?

Video Assistant Referee technology is in play for a third World Cup

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