EXPLAINED: 4 | Vintage Vibes

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

VAR and refereeing inconsistency have taken center stage this summer.

Sports Illustrated · Jul 8

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 · Jul 8

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 · Jul 6

‘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 · Jul 2

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 · Jul 2

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 · Jul 2

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 · Jul 1

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 · Jun 27

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 · Jun 24

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

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

The National (Scotland) · Jun 24