FIFA plans post‑2026 World Cup referee penalties amid VAR controversy

FIFA announced that disciplinary sanctions will be imposed after the 2026 World Cup on any players, coaches or officials who publicly criticised referees during the tournament. According to FIFA Referee Committee chair Pierluigi Collina, the measures will be applied once the competition ends, targeting comments that threaten referees’ safety and integrity. The sanctions are expected to include heavy fines and possible bans, with several national federations – including England, Egypt and Switzerland – cited as likely to face penalties.

The tournament’s use of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system also drew intense criticism. High‑profile incidents such as the disallowed goal in the Portugal‑Croatia match, the annulled Egypt‑Argentina goal, and Iran’s elimination over a marginal off‑side call highlighted concerns that VAR disrupts the flow of play and diminishes excitement. Media outlets in the United States described VAR as the "biggest nightmare" of the World Cup, and former officials have suggested limiting review times and granting referees the option to reject VAR advice.