In the 2026 World Cup last-16 match between Argentina and Egypt, a goal by Egypt's Mostafa Zico was ruled out by VAR after a review for an apparent foul on Nicolas Tagliafico in the build-up. That decision, combined with a penalty not awarded to Egypt moments before Argentina's winning goal, sparked furious accusations from Egyptian players and coach that the match was "rigged" and that the tournament was "directed towards Argentina". It was the latest flashpoint in a debate that has raged since VAR was introduced to top-level football.
VAR stands for Video Assistant Referee. It is a system that allows match officials to review decisions using video footage. A team of video assistants monitors the match from a remote location, and can alert the on-field referee to "clear and obvious errors" in four categories: goals, penalty decisions, direct red cards, and mistaken identity. The referee can also initiate a review themselves. The system was introduced by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in 2018 and was first used in the Premier League in 2019–20.
“An explainer on how VAR works and why it provokes such fierce debate.”
The idea behind VAR is to reduce human error and ensure fairness. But in practice, it has created new controversies. Critics argue that the technology is applied inconsistently, that reviews disrupt the flow of the game, and that the definition of "clear and obvious error" leaves too much room for interpretation. In the Egypt–Argentina match, Egyptian coach Hossam Hassan said a goal was "remarkably, for whatever reason, disallowed" and a penalty shout was "not even checked by the VAR". Egypt had been leading 2-0 before Argentina scored three unanswered goals to win 3-2. Argentina's Lionel Messi was in tears after the match.
For UK readers, VAR is a regular part of the Premier League and English football. The system is used in the top-flight, the FA Cup, and international tournaments involving England. Fans in the UK have experienced similar frustrations: calls for handball are often marginal, offside decisions can be overturned by millimetres, and long delays for reviews can kill the atmosphere. The Premier League has its own VAR protocol, but the core principles are the same as in the World Cup.
Q: Why was Egypt's goal disallowed? VAR determined that there was a foul by an Egyptian player on Nicolas Tagliafico in the build-up to the goal. Under the laws, the referee can rule out a goal if an offence occurs in the attacking phase leading to the goal. The on-field referee reviewed the footage on a pitchside monitor and decided to disallow the goal.
Q: What did Egypt claim about the referee? Egypt star Mostafa Ziko said "the referee wasn't good, he was unfair" and claimed the game was "rigged". Coach Hossam Hassan added that there seemed to be "pressure on the Argentinian side on the referee" and that "the cup is directed towards Argentina". These are serious allegations of bias, but no evidence has been presented.
Q: Does VAR make football fairer? Proponents say VAR corrects clear errors and ensures major decisions are accurate. Opponents argue that it removes the spontaneity of the game and that subjective decisions—like what constitutes a foul—are still made by humans, so controversy persists. Studies show that while VAR has increased the accuracy of certain decisions, it has not ended debate over interpretation.
What happens next: The quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup continue, with Argentina advancing to face the winner of Switzerland vs Colombia. Egypt are eliminated. The debate over VAR will likely continue, especially if further controversial incidents occur. IFAB and FIFA regularly review the system, but no major changes are expected in the immediate future.