VAR decisions put spotlight on World Cup group-stage officiating
Several tight VAR and refereeing calls affected World Cup group-stage matches, including disallowed late goals for Iran and Colombia.
By Sofia Marchetti · World Affairs Correspondent
3 min read
VAR and on-field refereeing decisions became a flashpoint during the 2026 World Cup group stage, with several calls affecting results or potential paths to the knockout rounds. Al Jazeera highlighted five incidents in which teams, coaches or officials were left disputing how technology and referees handled key moments.
The cases included two late goals ruled out for offside, a penalty appeal that went unanswered, a Brazil goal cancelled after review and a Germany goal allowed to stand despite Ecuador’s complaints about an earlier challenge.
Iran denied late winner against Egypt
Al Jazeera reported that Iran came close to reaching the knockout stage for the first time in its history during a 1-1 draw with Egypt in Seattle on Friday. Substitute Shoja Khalilzadeh scored in the third minute of stoppage time, but the goal was chalked off after a VAR review.
According to Al Jazeera, the review found Khalilzadeh offside in the move leading to the goal. Replays showed an extremely narrow decision, with the margin described as barely a millimetre.
Colombia goal ruled out against Portugal
Colombia also had a stoppage-time goal disallowed in its 0-0 draw with Portugal in Miami on Saturday, Al Jazeera reported. Davinson Sanchez headed in Juan Quintero’s cross at the far post, only for the assistant referee to raise the flag before celebrations could fully begin.
Al Jazeera said replays indicated Sanchez was offside by a toe. The decision meant Colombia missed the chance to beat Portugal and preserve a perfect group-stage record, though the report said Colombia still won its group.
Ghana penalty appeal waved away
In Boston on Tuesday, Ghana drew 0-0 with England in a match that sent both teams into the last 32, according to Al Jazeera. Ghana were left frustrated by a 79th-minute incident involving England defender Ezri Konsa and forward Prince Kwabena Adu inside the penalty area.
Al Jazeera reported that Konsa appeared to catch Adu on the knee with a lunging challenge and did not make contact with the ball. The referee did not award a penalty, and Ghana coach Carlo Queiroz said afterward: “VAR went for a coffee.”
Brazil protest after Vinicius Jr goal cancelled
Brazil beat Scotland 3-0 in Miami, but Al Jazeera reported that Vinicius Jr had an earlier goal ruled out after VAR advised the referee to review the play. Vinicius had taken the ball from Jack Hendry near the edge of the area and finished into the far corner.
The referee disallowed the goal for a foul by Vinicius on Hendry in the buildup, a decision Al Jazeera described as disputed because of the level of contact. Samir Xaud, president of the Brazilian football federation, later wrote to FIFA seeking “consistent application of VAR intervention standards and referee appointment considerations,” according to Al Jazeera.
Ecuador object to Germany goal
Germany lost 2-1 to Ecuador on Thursday, but its goal also drew objections, Al Jazeera reported. Leroy Sane scored inside the opening two minutes after a Florian Wirtz lay-off in the area.
Ecuador argued the move should have been stopped earlier because Germany’s Aleksandar Pavlovic caught Pedro Vite in the head with a high boot, according to Al Jazeera. VAR did not intervene, and Sane’s goal was allowed to stand.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.