The introduction of VAR into football matches was initially expected to significantly reduce on-field injustices and provide a more objective picture for referees.
However, it seems that doubts, complaints and comments have increased against this technology, used to analyze specific plays in more detail and allow the referee to make a decision, whether to call a foul, show a card or signal a penalty.
This has been seen more clearly in this 2026 World Cup. Since the beginning of the most important football tournament, the controversies did not wait and there have been several controversial moments that the World Cup has left so far.
Alleged fouls that deserved a red card, plays that had to be invalidated due to apparent offsides, disallowed goals and unsanctioned penalties are just some of the events that have given people something to talk about in this tournament.
The first controversy occurred in the opening match of the World Cup, between Mexico and South Africa, where for the first time the expulsion of three players was recorded, two of them from Bafana Bafana.
In addition to the VAR, another rule that has generated controversy is the “Prestianni Law”, which sanctions a player for covering his mouth, since such an action could hide insults or racist or discriminatory expressions.
This law has been applied on two occasions: in the match between Paraguay and Turkey, which led to the expulsion of player Miguel Almirón, and in Ecuador’s elimination against Mexico, in the round of 32, when Ecuadorian Piero Hincapié received the red card for saying something to a Mexican player.
Returning to VAR, one of the plays that has generated the most debate, even to this day, was the one played by Lionel Messi in Argentina’s debut against Algeria.
The controversy revolved around a harsh tackle by the Argentine player against a rival, in which it was even observed that Messi stuck his heels at him. Many fans demanded that the referee show him a red card, but that did not happen.
Finally, there are two of the most recent controversies related to VAR: the goal disallowed for Croatia in the round of 32 against Portugal, which would have meant a tie in an exciting match.
There is also what happened in the match between Argentina and Egypt, where a goal by the Pharaohs was disallowed due to a disputed foul at the beginning of the play.