TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The 2026 World Cup has not been without controversies, and the VAR technology has clearly taken the center stage. First used in 2018, the video assistant referee (VAR) system enables on-field referees to check, review, and correct “clear and obvious” errors during a match. This could mean a range of things, really; from overruling goals as they did with Egypt to cases of mistaken identity and red card incidents (see the case of Folarin Balogun).
Not only are VAR-reviewed referee decisions often frustrating—imagine a pandemonium of screaming, excited fans turning into groans as a goal got disallowed—some have been highly contestable, with accusations of favoritism thrown around. Citing PlanetFootball, here are five of the biggest VAR controversies during the 2026 World Cup so far:
5. Argentina vs. Egypt - VAR check disallowed Egypt's goal
Egypt exited the World Cup in a dramatic 3-2 defeat from Argentina, and it was partially thanks to a goal being disallowed after a VAR check for a foul. During the round of 16 game, Egypt was leading 1-0 when a second goal by Marwan Attia was ruled out after he was penalized for stepping on Lisandro Martinez’ foot at the start of the move.
Not only this, but Egypt coach Hossam Hassan also claimed that his side should have been awarded a penalty in the build-up of Enzo Fernandez’ third and winning goal for Argentina at stoppage time.
Citing ESPN, Egypt claimed Hamdi Fathy was pulled back by Alexis Mac Allister and claimed foul when Mohamed Salah went down under a challenge from Julian Álvarez. Nevertheless, FIFA deemed that the referee and VAR correctly made the decision that it was "normal football contact.”
4. Portugal vs. Croatia - Equalizer goal overruled
Croatia’s hope to advance to the World Cup Round of 16 was crushed when a VAR review ruled out its equalizer against Portugal as offside. Portugal was up 2-1 during the fourth minute of added time, but Josko Gvardiol nudged them level nine minutes later.
However, referee Espen Eskas was then sent to the VAR monitor to review the play. FIFA’s technology proved that Croatia’s Igor Matanovic touched the ball on its way through Mario Pasalic, who was in an offside position before he set up Gvardiol. This decision is largely accepted as valid, but some argued that the goal should have stood for the fact that it hit the Portugal defender on the way between them.
3. France vs. Senegal - Mbappe not awarded a penalty
France was winning 3-1 over Senegal at the Group I stage, but the match was not without a confounding controversy. At the 58th minute, Kylian Mbappe went down in the box following a challenge from Sadio Mane, and yet a penalty shout was waved away by referee Alireza Faghani.
Par for the course, a VAR check soon followed, and Faghani was asked to review the incident on the pitch-side monitor—meaning the VAR official felt that the on-field referee may have made a mistake. Which makes it all the more confusing when Faghani said he would not reverse his decision and award Mbappe a penalty, but instead claimed that the Frenchman initiated the contact.
2. US vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina - Red card for Balogun
During a match between the US and Bosnia-Herzegovina in the World Cup Round of 32, American forward Folarin Balogun was sent off after a VAR check based on slow-motion and still replays showing Bosnian defender Muharemovic’s right ankle buckling under his contact.
FIFA then confirmed that Balogun should serve a one-match ban.
Widely condemned as extremely harsh, the decision made by referee Raphael Claus was then rescinded after Trump’s appeal for FIFA to review Balogun’s ban, just in time for a Belgium face-off.
1. Argentina vs. Algeria - How did Messi avoid a red card?
Lionel Messi was on fire with a hat-trick during a match against Algeria, but some say he was lucky to stay on the pitch after an ugly tackle that should have earned him a straight red card.
Messi fouled Algeria’s Aissa Mandi early in the second half, with his studs coming down onto his opponent’s calf. By all means, it should’ve sent Messi off the pitch, but the on-field referee only awarded Mandi a free kick, and not even a recommendation for a VAR review was called.
Algeria did file a complaint with FIFA over alleged poor refereeing, and fans debate whether Messi’s status as star player played any part in the lack of punishment.
With the semifinals approaching, VAR controversies are a warning about how referee decisions make or break the flow of a World Cup match.
Read: FIFA Confirms New 2026 World Cup Rules: What's Changing?
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
