TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The 2026 World Cup semifinals are approaching. The tournament has produced memorable football. However, it has also been overshadowed by a series of controversial incidents involving officiating, disciplinary decisions, and VAR.
From the unprecedented reversal of a red-card suspension to debates over inconsistent refereeing, here are the tournament's five biggest controversies, citing The Athletic and Fox Sports Australia.
1. Folarin Balogun's Red Card Reversal
The tournament's biggest controversy erupted after United States striker Folarin Balogun was sent off against Bosnia and Herzegovina for serious foul play. The red card automatically carried a one-match suspension, ruling him out of the Round of 16.
However, FIFA later suspended the ban, allowing Balogun to play against Belgium. The decision quickly became the tournament's defining controversy because it departed from FIFA's usual disciplinary procedures and raised questions about consistency and transparency.
Subsequent reporting by The Times found that the decision was made solely by FIFA Disciplinary Committee chairman Mohammad Al-Kamali rather than the committee as a whole, prompting criticism from several football officials and governing bodies.
2. Argentina's VAR Decisions Spark Debate
Argentina's path to the semifinals has also been surrounded by controversy over several VAR decisions.
Multiple reviews involving Argentina—including penalty appeals and offside decisions—generated intense debate among fans and pundits, who questioned whether similar incidents had been judged consistently throughout the tournament.
While FIFA maintained that all decisions followed the Laws of the Game, the repeated involvement of VAR in Argentina's matches became one of the tournament's biggest talking points.
3. SkyCam Technology Divides Opinion
FIFA introduced an expanded use of SkyCam and aerial camera angles to provide viewers with a more immersive experience during the World Cup.
However, the innovation divided opinion. Some fans praised the cinematic broadcasts, while others argued that the moving camera angles made it harder to follow the pace of play and distracted from traditional television coverage.
4. Iran's Winning Goal Ruled Out
Iran found itself at the center of another controversial moment when what appeared to be a match-winning goal was disallowed following a lengthy VAR review.
The decision sparked strong reactions from Iranian players and supporters, who argued that the evidence was inconclusive and the review process lacked transparency.
The incident reignited criticism of the inconsistent use of VAR and the amount of time it takes to make crucial decisions during high-stakes matches.
5. Jonathan Tah's Suspension Controversy
Germany defender Jonathan Tah also became part of the tournament's disciplinary debate after receiving a suspension that ruled him out of a key knockout fixture.
Germany questioned the accumulation of yellow cards and the interpretation of the disciplinary rules, arguing that similar cases involving other players had been handled differently.
The incident added to broader concerns over FIFA's disciplinary consistency, particularly as several high-profile players received different outcomes for comparable offenses during the World Cup.
Despite the controversies, the 2026 FIFA World Cup remains one of the most compelling editions of the tournament. As the semifinals approach, attention is gradually shifting back to the action on the field, though the debates over refereeing and FIFA's disciplinary decisions are likely to continue long after the champion is crowned.
Read: 2026 World Cup Semifinals: Schedule and Team Profiles
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