FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 16 sparks controversy over player allegiance and VAR decisions

Former Dutch international Ibrahim Afellay, 40, said his heart was with Morocco ahead of the Netherlands‑Morocco round‑of‑16 match at the 2026 World Cup, citing his family roots. Dutch media framed his comment as "treason" and sparked a heated debate about national loyalty in sport.

In a separate match, Croatian football analyst Bruno Marić criticised the referee’s handling of a penalty and the use of VAR in the Croatia‑Portugal round‑of‑16 game. He noted that none of the 48 camera angles proved the alleged chip on the ball, calling for clearer evidence before overturning decisions. The controversy highlighted ongoing doubts about VAR implementation in high‑stakes fixtures.