A single moment in a goalless draw could shape England's World Cup campaign. With seconds left in the match against Ghana, midfielder Prince Kwabena Adu charged into the box, and England defender Ezri Konsa slid in. Replays showed Konsa catching Adu on the knee with no contact on the ball – a clear penalty, according to many watching. But no spot-kick was given, and VAR did not intervene. Ghana manager Carlo Queiroz sarcastically asked: “I'm not sure VAR is still working in the World Cup.” The controversy has left England fans relieved but wary, as the decision could have altered the game's outcome and, potentially, the whole group stage.
The incident happened during the 2026 World Cup group stage, where England drew 0-0 with Ghana. The match was played in Boston, part of the tournament hosted across North America. Thomas Tuchel's side dominated possession but created few clear chances. Harry Kane missed a late opportunity. Hours later, Croatia beat Panama 1-0, leaving Luka Modric's team just one point behind England in Group X. The VAR debate centres on why the penalty was not awarded and why video review was not triggered – even though TV replays seemed to show a clear foul.
“Explains the VAR controversy in England's World Cup draw with Ghana and group stage stakes.”
The answer lies in how FIFA wants VAR to be used at this World Cup. Pierluigi Collina, FIFA's head of referees, has instructed officials to apply a higher threshold for on-field challenges. The idea is to let more tackles go and only intervene for clear and obvious errors. “If you let more tackles go on the field, you must have fewer VAR interventions,” Collina said. In the Premier League, that penalty might have been given, but at the World Cup, the bar is deliberately set higher. BBC pundits Wayne Rooney and Micah Richards agreed it could have been a penalty, but FIFA's policy means such calls are often left to the referee's initial judgment.
For UK readers, this matters because England's path to the knockout rounds hangs in the balance. The draw with Ghana, combined with Croatia's win, means the Three Lions cannot afford another slip. The final group games will decide who advances, and every point – or missed penalty – counts. The VAR controversy has also reignited debates about consistency in football's biggest tournament. Supporters watching at home may wonder why a clear foul goes unpunished, while other similar incidents earlier in the tournament were reviewed.
Q: What is VAR and how is it used at the World Cup? VAR stands for Video Assistant Referee. It allows officials off the pitch to review key incidents like penalties, red cards, and goals. At this World Cup, FIFA has told referees to only overturn clear and obvious errors, meaning fewer interventions than in some domestic leagues.
Q: Why wasn't the Ghana penalty given against England? The on-field referee decided no foul occurred, and because FIFA wants a higher threshold for VAR intervention, the video officials did not call for a review. Replays showed Konsa caught Adu's knee without touching the ball, but the incident was deemed not a clear and obvious error by the referee.
Q: What are the group stage implications for England? England are top of their group but only one point ahead of Croatia after their 1-0 win over Panama. The final group matches will decide the order. If England fail to win, they could slip to second place or even risk elimination, depending on other results.
What happens next: England play their final group game against an opponent yet to be determined, likely needing a win to secure top spot. Croatia face another team in the group. The VAR debate will continue, but FIFA has made clear that fewer interventions is a deliberate policy for this tournament. For now, England have been warned: they cannot rely on lucky breaks if they want to progress.