The most contentious moments in the World Cup: VAR, Messi, Balogun and the largest discussions in football
In the last six weeks, the 2026 FIFA World Cup has delivered stunning goals, filled stadiums, and unforgettable players. As we near the final at MetLife Stadium, it’s a good moment to reflect on some of the tournament’s most contentious incidents on the field. From red cards, marginal offsides, penalties that required lengthy reviews, to […]
VAR has taken the spotlight at the World Cup, both positively and negatively.
VAR’s Impact on the World Cup VAR was never expected to be the main attraction. Initially, the goal was to enhance the game. However, with just four matches remaining in the World Cup, the video assistant referee has emerged as a contentious figure—its loudest critic, and, depending on who you ask, perhaps its biggest antagonist. […]
Explanation of the World Cup offside rule and how VAR is used
Let’s dive into the offside rule. It’s something that pops up in many sports, and while the idea is pretty straightforward, understanding offside—especially during significant tournaments like the World Cup—can be a bit tricky. This rule holds a lot of weight since so many goals get flagged for offside, so let’s break down what offside […]
VAR cancels Croatia goal as Portugal progresses in World Cup elimination round
Croatia’s World Cup Dream Ends in Controversy as Portugal Advances Croatia believed they had forced a draw just before the end of the second half when they netted an equalizer, but their hopes were dashed. A VAR review showed that Mario Pašić was offside, leading to Portugal moving forward in the tournament. Gonzalo Ramos scored […]
Questions arise about VAR inconsistencies after Folarin Balogun’s disputed red card in USMNT’s World Cup victory.
Concerns Over VAR’s Inconsistency in World Cup Match Video assistant referee (VAR) technology is facing criticism from players, as several, including former U.S. national team forward Hercules Gomez, have voiced their discontent regarding its inconsistent application. This comes after a controversial red card was issued to U.S. star Folarin Balogun during Wednesday’s 2-0 victory over […]
2026 World Cup guidelines: VAR, player changes, new updates
The 2026 World Cup is Coming Up The 2026 FIFA World Cup is on the horizon, and with the expansion to 48 participating countries, several new rules have been put in place. Here’s a rundown of the key rule changes to prepare for before the tournament kicks off. VAR Adjustments for the 2026 World Cup […]
Netherlands’ Ronald Koeman claims soccer is ‘destroyed’ after controversial Euro 2024 VAR call
Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman was furious at a controversial first-half penalty in their 2-1 loss to England in the Euro 2024 semi-final, accusing the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) of “ruining” football. The equaliser came after 18 minutes and Dutch defender Denzel Dumfries was awarded a penalty after VAR review, leaving the manager infuriated. Dumfries caught […]
Bad vibes and VAR: waiting game leaves fans frustrated over marginal calls | Video assistant referees (VARs)
ohOn Thursday, Premier League clubs will vote on Wolves’ proposal to scrap the video assistant referee. The motion is unlikely to get a majority, let alone the 14 of the 20 votes needed to pass. But it could change the Overton Window and lead to a serious review of VAR, an assessment of what works […]
Nottingham Forest rails against VAR official it claims is fan of rival amid Premier League race
Nottingham Forest, who are battling to remain in the Premier League, raised explosive allegations after Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Everton, with video of the match showing assistant referee officials showing footage of one of Nottingham’s teams Accused of being a Luton Town fan. Forest are refraining from playing in order to avoid relegation. In a […]