Top 10 Most Controversial VAR Decisions at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

• Here are the 10 most controversial VAR decisions in the 2026 FIFA World Cup involving stars like Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Folarin Balogun.

Video Assistant Referee (VAR) decisions have remained one of the biggest talking points at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with several incidents sparking heated debates among players, coaches and football fans.

Now, sports outlet Planet Football has ranked what it considers the tournament’s 10 most controversial VAR decisions across the group stage and knockout rounds.

The 2026 edition marks the third FIFA World Cup to use VAR, with officials also granted expanded powers, including the ability to issue yellow cards in cases of mistaken identity.

Top 10 Most Controversial VAR Decisions

10. Argentina vs Egypt
Egypt had a second goal disallowed after VAR identified a foul earlier in the build-up. While the decision was technically correct, Egypt questioned why play was reviewed so far back, especially after they were denied a penalty moments earlier. Coach Hossam Hassan later accused officials of bias.

9. England vs Ghana
Ghana were denied a penalty after Ezri Konsa challenged Prince Adu inside the penalty area. Planet Football argued the tackle warranted a spot-kick.

8. Brazil vs Scotland
Vinicius Junior had a goal ruled out for what Planet Football described as a minimal foul on Scotland defender Jack Hendry during the build-up.

7. Colombia vs Portugal
Davinson Sánchez saw his goal ruled out for offside by the narrowest of margins, despite appearing onside in real time. Former England striker Wayne Rooney publicly disagreed with the decision.

6. Ecuador vs Germany
Germany were allowed to keep a goal after Aleksandar Pavlovic appeared to catch Ecuador’s Pedro Vite in the face during the attacking move, an incident many believed deserved a VAR review.

5. Germany vs Paraguay
Jonathan Tah’s goal was ruled out after VAR judged Waldemar Anton to have fouled Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill from a corner. Critics described the decision as harsh.

4. Portugal vs Croatia
Croatia’s dramatic stoppage-time equaliser was ruled out for offside after officials determined an attacking touch, rather than a defensive deflection, kept the player offside—a decision that divided opinion.

3. France vs Senegal
France were denied a penalty after Sadio Mané appeared to bring down Kylian Mbappé inside the box. Following a VAR review, the referee maintained his original decision and also overturned France’s corner, awarding Senegal a goal kick instead.

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 Muharemovic. The decision generated widespread criticism, and his suspension was later overturned.

1. Argentina vs Algeria
Lionel Messi escaped a red card after a challenge on Aïssa Mandi that Planet Football argued met the threshold for serious foul play. VAR did not recommend an on-field review, making it the publication’s most controversial decision of the tournament.

The debate surrounding VAR has once again highlighted football’s ongoing struggle to balance technological accuracy with the flow and emotion of the game, with several decisions continuing to divide opinion despite video review.