List of 2026 FIFA World Cup controversies

Hydration breaks

In December 2025, FIFA announced that all matches at the 2026 World Cup would include a mandatory three-minute hydration break in each half to allow players to rest in hot conditions.^[31]

Despite the reported initial motivation behind the break as the players' welfare, media has largely interpreted the break to provide a period of tactical instruction midway through the half. Momentum appears to shift significantly after the break, and, in the first matchday, there were a total of 170 shots between the hydration break and halftime, compared to just 115 shots from the start of matches to the hydration break. In addition, the breaks have come under criticism, particularly when being implemented in all stadiums including air-conditioned ones.^[32]

The three-minute period would also be available for commercials at the discretion of tournament broadcasters.^[33] During the tournament, several broadcasters have used the break to air commercials, although FIFA requested that broadcasters return to the match 30 seconds before play resumes. This sparked criticism from fans, who argued that it disrupts the pace of play and allows broadcasters to extract added advertising revenue. Some fans reported missing the resumption of play after broadcasters failed to return from commercials before play resumed.^[34][35]

During hydration breaks, commercials made by U.S. English-language broadcaster Fox Network (which also includes FS1 and FS2) were the subject of scrutiny by viewers who are watching the matches at home, and viewers harshly criticized the network for lengthy commercial breaks that had drawn out before the match had resumed (although multiple international broadcasters also inserted ads into those breaks). U.S. Spanish-language broadcaster Telemundo, on the other hand, never showed commercials during those breaks, with its announcers actively mentioning so during each.^[36] In addition, Telemundo's coverage was streamed on the cheaper Peacock service at a $10.99 per month subscription versus Fox's coverage streamed on Fox One at $19.99 per month. It was thus reported that at least 20 percent of Telemundo's viewers stated that English was their primary language instead of Spanish, leading to "tensions" between Fox/FS1/FS2/Fox One's parent company the Fox Corporation, and Telemundo/Peacock's parent company NBCUniversal. As a result, FIFA will bundle the U.S. English and Spanish rights together for the next World Cups to increase their bids.^[37][38]

Environmental Impact

The tournament's environmental impact also drew significant criticism. Concerns have also been raised by climate activists about the environmental impact of both the expansion to 48 teams and travel between host cities, most of which will require extensive air travel and increase carbon emissions, running counter to one of FIFA's sustainability goals.^[39] A report by Scientists for Global Responsibility in July 2025 calculated that the tournament's greenhouse gas emissions would make it one of the most polluting events in the world, as it would be almost double the average for the last four tournaments (2022 reportedly had 5.25 million metric tons [5.79 million short tons]), roughly the same amount as 6.5 million cars driven for a year.^[40]

An independent June 2026 study by carbon accounting firm Greenly estimated the event's total carbon footprint as equivalent to 7.8 million metric tons of CO₂, more than double the official emissions reported for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. While utilizing existing stadiums limited infrastructure emissions to just 3% of the total, the vast geographical distribution of matches across three North American countries caused spectator and team transit to account for 87.8% of the tournament's overall carbon footprint.^[41]

Critics also questioned FIFA's sustainability commitments, citing the tournament's expansion and its sponsorship agreement with Saudi oil company Aramco.^[42] Additional scrutiny was directed at the United States' withdrawal from the Paris Agreement under the second Trump administration in 2026. Some commentators argued that the decision conflicted with environmental commitments associated with the tournament's hosting framework, which had emphasized climate leadership and alignment with the goals of the Paris Agreement.^[43]

2025 travel ban and exemptions

In June 2025, the second Trump administration reinstated a travel ban affecting citizens from multiple countries, citing national security concerns.^[90] The ban, which was later expanded in December, prohibits the issuance of new immigrant and non-immigrant visas for citizens of 39 affected countries, including those whose teams have qualified for the World Cup—Haiti, Iran, Ivory Coast, and Senegal. The proclamation includes an exemption for any athlete or member of an athletic team, including coaches, persons performing a necessary support role, and immediate relatives, traveling for the World Cup, Olympics, or other major sporting events as determined by the Secretary of State.^[91][92]

This exemption ensured that national teams' players, coaches, and staff from those designated countries would be permitted to enter the United States for the competition, but the US State Department confirmed that ordinary citizens of the four countries were not covered by this exemption, making them ineligible for visa issuance to attend the matches. While fans were permitted to submit visa applications with the promise of priority if they provided proof of tickets, the department noted that issuance would be unlikely, barring rare "national interest" waivers. However, this restriction can be circumvented if a fan is a valid visa holder, a permanent resident, or a dual national who applies using a passport not subject to the ban. In such cases, applicants may still be eligible to enter or apply for entry, provided they satisfy all other immigration and security requirements.^[93][94][95]

Visa bond program

Aside from the travel ban, the Trump administration also introduced a "visa bond" policy in August 2025 targeting nationals from countries with high overstay rates, inadequate screening and vetting information, or those that offer citizenship by investment programs, whereby applicants can obtain citizenship without a residency requirement.^[96][97][98] The qualified teams affected under this policy are Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Tunisia, requiring aspiring fans to pay a deposit of up to $15,000 in order to secure a B-1/B-2 visitor visa needed to attend World Cup matches in the United States.^[99] Unlike the travel ban, it was unclear whether the policy would apply to national team players, coaches, and staff from the designated countries, but The New York Times reported that FIFA was seeking exemptions for players from those nations on the list.^[100][101] In May 2026, the U.S. government decided to temporarily drop the $15,000 visa bond requirement, as long as fans have a valid ticket for the tournament. At the same time, the U.S. banned fans from Iran and Haiti from traveling to the World Cup with limited exceptions (dual citizens, permanent residents, and valid visa holders); players, coaches, and support staff from those two countries are not affected by the ban.^[102]

Visa denials, entry restrictions, and border enforcement

In June 2026, Iranian players were ultimately granted visas to enter the US, but a substantial portion of coaching, managerial, and support staff were reportedly denied entry permits, prompting accusations from Iranian officials of discriminatory and politically motivated treatment.^[103][104] Reports indicated that the team was only permitted to enter the United States on match days, further complicating logistical planning and training arrangements. Iranian authorities and football officials argued that such measures undermined the principle of equal participation and contravened the obligations of a World Cup host nation, while US officials maintained that security-related screening procedures were necessary and targeted individuals with alleged links to non-sporting or sanctioned entities.^{[105][106][103]} As of June 14, 10 Iranian delegation members re-submitted the U.S. visa applications after arriving in Mexico, while only 4 members were approved.^[107]

On June 2, Swiss striker Breel Embolo was initially denied entry to the United States due to a 2023 conviction for making threats, for which he received a suspended fine.^[108] He was later granted entry clearance and remained eligible to participate in the tournament.^[109]

On June 5, Iraqi striker Aymen Hussein was detained and questioned for seven hours upon arriving in the United States through Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, where, according to an Iraqi Olympic Committee official, U.S. authorities inspected his phone before permitting his entry into the country. Meanwhile, the team's photographer, Talal Salah, was detained for more than 10 hours and ultimately denied entry into the United States.^{[110][111][112][113]}

On June 6, Somali referee Omar Artan, who had been selected to officiate at the World Cup, was denied entry into the United States upon arrival at Miami International Airport despite holding a valid U.S. visa and a diplomatic passport issued with the assistance of the Somali Embassy in Nairobi.^[114] He was subsequently placed on a return flight to Istanbul, from where he had traveled to attend a mandatory FIFA seminar for match officials ahead of the tournament.^[115] United States Customs and Border Protection stated that Artan was found inadmissible following inspection due to "vetting concerns" and alleged "association with suspected members of terror organizations". Artan strongly denied any links to terror groups. Upon his return to Somalia, it was announced that Artan would receive his full World Cup salary despite not being able to officiate in the tournament.^[116]

Additionally, according to reports, Jibril Rajoub, president of the Palestinian Football Association, was denied a U.S. visa, preventing him from traveling to the country to attend World Cup-related events. According to the Associated Press, Rajoub stated that he was waiting in Mexico City for permission to enter the United States.^[117][118]

On June 11, Julien Kouadio Adonis, president of the National Committee of Elephants Supporters (CNSE) of Ivory Coast, told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that the United States government had denied visas to Ivory Coast-based fans who wished to attend the World Cup. According to Adonis, U.S. officials explicitly stated that they did not want supporters from certain countries, including Ivory Coast and Senegal, on American soil. As a result, the Ivorian and Senegalese fans canceled their travel plans. Only a handful of CNSE officials were authorized to travel, and their role was limited to supporting members of the respective communities already residing in the United States.^[119]

On June 12, the Government of Canada denied a visa and entry into the country to Ghanaian footballer Thomas Partey, resulting in his absence from Ghana's opening match against Panama. The decision was reportedly linked to criminal charges brought in Britain against Partey, who was accused of five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in July 2025, as well as additional rape charges filed in February 2026. In response, FIFA stated: "FIFA is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas. As with previous FIFA events, the host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country".^[120]

On June 13, the Ghanaian government protested Canada's denial of the visa to Partey while saying there was lack of judicial decisions regarding the charges.^[121] On June 17, a Canadian federal judge rejected Partey's emergency appeal against the visa denial, ruling that there were insufficient grounds to overturn the immigration authorities' decision. The ruling confirmed his ineligibility to enter Canada and his absence from Ghana's opening match against Panama in Toronto, which Ghana won 1–0.^[122] On June 21, after receiving permission to enter the United States, Partey was named in Ghana's squad for their group-stage match against England in Boston.^[123]

After making his World Cup debut starting in a 1–0 win over Ecuador in Philadelphia, Ivorian footballer Elye Wahi was initially refused entry to Canada for the second match against Germany due to concerns relating to alleged involvement in a spot-fixing scandal earlier that year,^[124] before later being granted permission to travel after officials confirmed he met the entry requirements.^[125]

Immigration enforcement in host cities

In April 2026, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said that customs officials could stop processing international travelers at airports in US sanctuary cities that declined to cooperate with the administration's immigration enforcement.^[126] In late May, Mullin confirmed that the department was drawing up such plans. Seven of the eleven United States host cities, including Boston, Los Angeles, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, Seattle, and the San Francisco Bay Area, are sanctuary jurisdictions that could have been affected.^[127] Airlines for America warned the proposal would have a "devastating effect" on the airline and tourism industries, leading to speculation the timing of that new rule had been postponed until after the tournament.^[128]

In May 2026, NBC News reported that ICE personnel may be present at World Cup matches and that the agency had issued no internal guidance prohibiting immigration arrests at stadiums.^[129] Workers at SoFi Stadium protested in May over a potential ICE deployment at matches (§ Labor disputes). On June 1, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said federal officials had told him that civil immigration enforcement would not take place at World Cup games or events in Los Angeles, while noting the assurance was "subject to change".^[130]

Protests against the Iran national team

On April 30, 2026, members of the Iranian opposition held protests outside the 2026 FIFA Congress in Vancouver, stating that the team represents the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) instead of the people of Iran.^[145] On May 19, it was reported that FIFA would again ban the Iranian Lion and Sun flag from World Cup stadiums, similar to previous World Cups.^[146][147] On May 26, FIFA faced the threat of legal action from The Institute for Voices of Liberty over its ban of the Lion and Sun flag.^[148] On June 10, Iran's sports minister Ahmad Donyamali stated that the team may pull out of matches if "unofficial flags" or "chants against the national team" are present inside stadiums during matches involving the country.^[149]

Despite this, many Iranian fans brought Lion and Sun flags in defiance of the rules and booed the current anthem or opted to sing the pre-1979 anthem "Ey Iran", with many of them being members of Los Angeles's Iranian community who are known for criticising and protesting the current government.^[150] Some Iranian protesters supported the New Zealand team against Iran and also waved Israeli flags and chanted slogans in favor of Reza Pahlavi, the eldest son of the last Shah of Iran Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.^[151] Similar clashes occurred during the match against Belgium, where protesters scuffled with fans carrying the current flag of Iran; however, security had been increased ahead of the game.^[152] During the final group game against Egypt in Seattle, protesters showed up outside of the stadium carrying the Lion and Sun flag.^[153]

Iran war impact

Further complications regarding Iran's participation occurred as a result of the 2026 Iran–United States crisis in February 2026, which resulted in the United States and Israel launching a war against Iran. In retaliation, Iran launched missiles and drones at Israel, US-aligned Arab countries, and US bases. FIFA stated that it was monitoring the situation and was focused on getting all countries to participate, despite reports suggesting Iran might not participate.^{[154][155][156]}

According to The Guardian, if Iran were to withdraw, intercontinental playoff participant Iraq or the United Arab Emirates, the last Asian Football Confederation team eliminated from the qualifiers, could be likely beneficiaries, replacing Iran in Group G.^[157][158] FIFA has warned that Iran could face fines and a ban from future competitions should it withdraw from the tournament.^[159] However, on March 10, Iran hinted that it might do so due to the risk of defections by players, similar to the women's team during the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup in Australia.^[160]

Following a meeting with US President Trump on March 10, Infantino said that Trump had reiterated that the Iranian team "is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States".^[161] In a post on Truth Social, Trump later added that, while the team is welcome, he did not believe it would be "appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety".^[162] In response, Iran asked FIFA to remove the United States as tournament host, referring to Trump's statement that the Iranian team's safety could not be guaranteed.^[163][164]

On March 11, Iran's Minister of Sport and Youth, Ahmad Donyamali, reportedly ruled out participation in the World Cup in an interview with Deutsche Presse-Agentur, citing the assassination of Ali Khamenei, and later told Iranian state television that "under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup", though the team's withdrawal had not been confirmed by FIFA.^[165][166]

On March 17, it was reported that FFIRI was negotiating with FIFA to move Iran's scheduled matches from the United States to Mexico, again citing Trump's statement that the Iranian team's safety could not be guaranteed.^[167] However, FIFA denied Iran's request to move its matches and said the schedule would go ahead as planned.^[168]

That same day, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) stated that it had not received any formal notification from Iran regarding an intention to withdraw from the tournament. Speaking to reporters at AFC headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, General Secretary Windsor John said that the final decision rested with FFIRI, adding that "the federation has informed us that they are going to the World Cup." He also expressed hope that Iran would resolve its internal issues and participate, noting that the team was among the first Asian teams to secure qualification, having done so in March 2025.^[167]

On March 27, ahead of a scheduled AFC Champions League Elite match, state media reported that Iran's Ministry of Sport and Youth had banned its sports teams from traveling to countries it considers "hostile", but it did not explicitly mention the World Cup.^[169]

In April 2026, Trump envoy suggested that Italy should take Iran's spot in the World Cup, according to the Financial Times.^[170] However, FIFA president Infantino confirmed Iran's participation, stating: "The Iranian team is coming, for sure."^[171][172]

In May 2026, Iran announced its demands for attending the World Cup, which included visa guarantees for players, staff, journalists, and fans without further questioning by immigration authorities, security guarantees for players and staff, and "respectful" treatment of the Iranian flag, symbols, and national anthem. Requests were also made for any press conference featuring the Iranian team to exclude questions unrelated to the game.^[173]

On May 16, 2026, FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafström met with Iranian Football Federation officials in Istanbul to offer reassurance over Iran's participation in the World Cup, following concerns about the team's ability to enter the United States due to the war with Iran. Earlier, Iranian FA President Mehdi Taj had been refused entry to Canada for the FIFA Congress due to his links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which the U.S. and Canada classify as a terrorist entity. FIFA confirmed it was working with relevant authorities to ensure all teams could compete in a safe environment without discrimination.^[174]

On May 19, the Iran national team reached Istanbul to start its training camp for the World Cup. It was later confirmed that Iran would play a friendly in Turkey against Gambia before the start of the tournament.^[175][176] The Iranian Football Federation later announced that the national team's training camp for the World Cup had been moved from the United States (in Tucson, Arizona) to Tijuana, Mexico, due to security concerns, which received official approval from FIFA.^[177] Iran's team received visas to enter the United States just ten days before its opening match against New Zealand, while some members of its coaching and administrative staff had not received visas, according to the Fars News Agency. The US State Department considers these individuals to be linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.^[178] Later, the Football Federation of Iran announced that its ticket allocation for the tournament had been revoked just days before the start, leaving fans who had already finalized their travel arrangements unable to attend their team's matches.^[179]

Incidents during the tournament

When the team arrived, players wore pins with the number 168, representing the number of victims killed in the 2026 Minab school attack.^[180] Iranian players including Mehdi Taremi and Alireza Jahanbakhsh also expressed concerns over visa delays and restrictions, stating that the United States entry policies created additional uncertainty and logistical difficulties for the team ahead of the tournament.^[181]

Celebrations by members of the Iran national team during their 2–2 draw against the New Zealand national team in Los Angeles generated controversy. After scoring Iran's second goal, midfielder Mohammad Mohebi performed a gesture simulating the firing of guns, which many observers on social media interpreted as a political message amid the ongoing war involving Iran and the United States. Mohebi later stated that the celebration had been spontaneous and was intended only for the fans. In the same match, teammate Ramin Rezaeian made a separate gesture that he acknowledged carried a political meaning, although he declined to elaborate further. The celebrations sparked widespread debate online and prompted criticism from some commentators and supporters.^[182]

Following that match, Iran was reportedly ordered by US officials to return to their training camp in Tijuana immediately, rather than the following day as was previously planned, amidst political protests outside the stadium.^[183] The single-entry visa of winger Mahdi Torabi, an unused substitute in the match, was expired immediately after he left the United States for Tijuana.^[184] The FFIRI later negotiated with FIFA and a multi-entry visa for Torabi was reissued for Iran's next game against Belgium.^[184] Later, the FFIRI lodged an official complaint to FIFA for travel restrictions on team members.^[185] Following the conclusion of their second match against Belgium, Iran's delegation left a handwritten note in the dressing room at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles which referenced "peace" and expressed gratitude for the host city. The message stated that the team had competed "with honor" and would leave "with dignity," while also wishing that "peace, respect, and friendship prevail among all nations."^[186]

On June 23, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that it would ease travel restrictions for Iran's national team during the World Cup, allowing them to enter the United States two days before their scheduled match against Egypt in Seattle instead of the previously stricter timeline.^[187] The policy came a week after signing the Islamabad Memorandum to end the Iran war.^[188] Following Iran's third group-stage match, team captain Mehdi Taremi criticized FIFA for what he called a "disaster" tournament, saying the organization had failed to fix serious off-pitch problems such as constant travel between the United States and Mexico, lack of proper recovery time, and missing staff due to visa issues.^[189] Upon Iran's elimination from the World Cup, the Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said he was very happy that the team had been knocked out and that their visas had been revoked, adding that he was glad they were no longer on U.S. soil and that he may have even sung a song or done a "happy dance" in celebration.^[190]

Impact on Iraq

The war also significantly impacted Iraq's logistical preparations for the intercontinental playoffs, in which the team needed to win just one match to qualify for the World Cup. Following the closure of Iraqi airspace and the suspension of international flights, the Mexican Secretariat of Foreign Affairs intervened to grant entry visas for the national team through diplomatic channels in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, since Mexico does not have an embassy in Iraq.^[191] However, despite the issuance of visas, over 60% of the domestic-based squad remained stranded in Baghdad, and a scheduled training camp in Houston before the playoffs was canceled.^[192][193] Head coach Graham Arnold was forced to manage team operations remotely from the United Arab Emirates, as the delegation was unable to secure safe passage out of the conflict zone during the initial weeks of the war.^[194]

The Iraq Football Association (IFA) formally petitioned FIFA to postpone the playoff match, citing the impossibility of safe transit for the players and staff.^[192] FIFA denied the request, citing the rigidity of the FIFA International Match Calendar, and instead proposed an alternative overland route through Turkey to Istanbul.^[193] This proposal was rejected by the IFA and Arnold due to security concerns regarding repeated Iranian strikes in the Kurdistan region.^[194] Amid these travel complications, the Mexican government maintained its commitment to the team's participation, working directly with the Iraqi Embassy in Mexico to finalize all documentation. On March 16, it was confirmed that FIFA would provide a chartered private jet to transport the Iraqi team to Mexico.^[195] The original plan was for the team to fly on March 20 from Arar Domestic Airport in Saudi Arabia, near the Iraqi border, and arrive in Monterrey the next day, 10 days before the match.^[196] However, further airspace closures in the area forced the players and staff based in Iraq to travel overland to Jordan, where they departed on a charter flight from Queen Alia International Airport in Amman on March 21. After a technical layover in Lisbon, they arrived in Monterrey minutes after midnight.^[197][198]

On March 31, Iraq qualified for the World Cup after a 40-year absence by beating Bolivia 2–1 in the intercontinental playoff final.^[199] This marked the longest qualifying campaign ever by a national team, spanning 21 matches over 28 months beginning in November 2023.^[200]

Mexico

Social protests

In Mexico City, before the inauguration match was scheduled to take place on June 11 at Estadio Azteca, several groups demonstrated in the city, including the National Educational Workers Coordination (CNTE), demanding that President Sheinbaum fulfill her campaign promise to reverse a 2007 pension and social security reform that they believe has adversely affected them. They also vandalized World Cup-related decorations and announced that they would protest during the opening match.^[216] In the days that followed, other groups joined the protests held on the day of the opening match, including the Searching Mothers, retired Pemex and CFE employees, transport workers, farmers, healthcare workers, and groups protesting the gentrification of the city.^[222]

The city government further restricted access to the Zócalo, the city's main square, to prevent educational workers from entering it and disrupting the FIFA Fan Festival.^[223] Days later, the government dispersed a demonstration attempting to access the square with tear gas.^[224]

United States

Canada

Egypt

On June 13, FIFA instructed the Egypt national team to remove the seven Africa Cup of Nations stars from its crest, stating that only FIFA World Cup winners may display stars during its competitions. FIFA also required Egypt to change its squad numbers from gold to white to improve visibility for broadcasts.^[249]

Haiti

Before the tournament, FIFA required the Haiti national team to alter its kit because it depicted the Battle of Vertières, citing equipment regulations prohibiting political, religious, or personal messages or slogans on team kits.^[250][251]

Mexico vs South Africa

In the opening match between hosts Mexico and South Africa, three red cards were shown, making it the first World Cup opening match to feature three red cards. The decisions prompted controversy, with South Africa finishing the match with nine players. Head coach Hugo Broos criticized referee Wilton Sampaio, arguing that Themba Zwane had been blocked by Mexico defender Roberto Alvarado before being judged to have used a raised arm, describing the foul as "too soft" for a red card.^[256] He further commented Zwane's 3-match suspension as "too severe" and that they would appeal FIFA's decision, comparing the incident with that of Lionel Messi on Aïssa Mandi which went unreviewed by VAR.^[257][258] However, Broos accepted Sphephelo Sithole's sending-off for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity by Brian Gutiérrez. Mexico defender César Montes was also sent off after bringing down Khuliso Mudau to deny a goalscoring opportunity.^[259][260]

United States vs Paraguay

In the group-stage match between the United States and Paraguay, the first use of FIFA's new "mistaken identity" VAR protocol at a FIFA World Cup occurred. Referee Danny Makkelie initially cautioned United States defender Tim Ream for a challenge on Miguel Almirón, but after a VAR review overturned the booking and instead showed a yellow card to Almirón for simulation.^[261]

Germany vs Curaçao

Before the June 14 group stage match between Germany and Curaçao, VAR official Shaun Evans was seen making an upside-down OK gesture, which has sometimes been associated with white supremacy.^[262][263] After an investigation, FIFA found no evidence that Evans had intentionally made a racist gesture or breached the FIFA Disciplinary Code. Evans described the gesture as a "subconscious twitch", and FIFA cleared him to return for the June 21 match between New Zealand and Egypt.^{[264][265][266]}

Qatar vs Switzerland

During a match between Qatar and Switzerland, Switzerland took the lead after Breel Embolo scored a penalty that was awarded after a VAR review. Questions were raised about a possible offside in the buildup, however, a technical issue did not allow the VAR offside graphics to be broadcast. After the match ended, FIFA issued an official statement addressing that a technical outage stopped the graphic from being shown, but the issue was quickly resolved. They additionally stated that the original decision by the referee was correct and the player was in an onside position.^[267]

Argentina vs Austria

During a match between Argentina and Austria, Lionel Messi opened the scoring after a controversial build-up involving a challenge by Alexis Mac Allister on Austria midfielder Xaver Schlager. Schlager went down after the tackle, with Austrian players arguing that a foul should have been awarded before Argentina continued the attack. The referee Amin Omar allowed play to continue, and VAR reviewed the incident but decided not to intervene, allowing Messi's goal to stand.^[268][269] Austria manager Ralf Rangnick later called the decision annoying, questioning why the foul was not given and why VAR did not recommend a review considering how the tackle is similar to one that caused a penalty for Argentina.^[270] After the game ended the goal was claimed to be "hard to disallow" by panelists due to the amount of plays the Argentinian team did after the ball was won, but that if the play had been seen earlier it would have been probably called a foul.^[271] The goal came under further scrutiny following Argentina's round of 16 match against Egypt, where Egypt's second goal by Mostafa Ziko was disallowed by VAR due to a foul in the build-up that occurred at the other end of the pitch.^[272][273]

Canada vs Qatar

Qatar midfielder Assim Madibo received a five-match suspension after being sent off in his nation's group-stage defeat to Canada for a challenge that broke the leg of Ismaël Koné. FIFA's disciplinary committee increased the automatic one-match suspension to five matches following a review of the incident.^[274] The severity of the punishment prompted debate among commentators, many of whom argued that the challenge lacked the force or intent normally associated with such an extended suspension.^[275]

England vs Ghana

In the 79th minute of the group stage match between England and Ghana, England's defender Ezri Konsa tackled Ghana's forward Prince Adu in the penalty box. Referee Said Martinez did not award a penalty, prompting Ghana's coach Carlos Queiroz to comment that VAR had "gone for a coffee".^[276]

Earlier in the second half, England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford collided with Adu outside the penalty area while attempting to clear the ball. Martinez awarded a free kick to England and no card was shown, with VAR again declining to intervene. Queiroz criticized the officials for "two major incidents" involving Pickford and Konsa that he believed had gone unpunished.^[277]

Egypt vs Iran

The group-stage game between Egypt and Iran was overshadowed by a stoppage-time disallowed winner. In the final moments, Mohammad Ghorbani's shot deflected through Hamza Abdelkarim before Shoja Khalilzadeh bundled the ball into the net from close range. Iran initially celebrated a dramatic late winner, but after a VAR review supported by semi-automated offside technology (SAOT), the goal was disallowed. Khalilzadeh was ruled narrowly offside by the tip of his boots, having been fractionally ahead of the goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir and the last defender at the moment Ghorbani's shot was taken.^[278][279] Egyptian players also protested a possible handball by Shahriyar Moghanlou during the buildup.^[280]

The decision stood after review, leaving the match level at 1–1 and confirming Iran's third-place finish in Group G with three draws, which was not enough to secure a place among the top eight third-placed teams advancing to the knockout stage.^[281]

Germany vs Paraguay

During extra time in the Round of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay, a goal scored by Jonathan Tah was disallowed following a VAR review. Referee Jalal Jayed ruled that Waldemar Anton had committed a foul on Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill in the buildup. The decision was controversial, with Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann describing the call as "a joke", arguing that no clear foul had occurred.^[282] The match ended 1–1 and Germany ultimately lost 4–3 on penalties, their first World Cup penalty shootout defeat. FIFA later defended the decision, stating that officials had been instructed to penalize similar blocking incidents involving goalkeepers, and that the intervention was consistent with pre-tournament guidance.^[283]

Belgium vs Senegal

Senegal were eliminated in a 3–2 defeat against Belgium after a VAR-awarded penalty in the stoppage time of extra time. The decision followed a review of a challenge by Lamine Camara on Youri Tielemans, which Tielemans converted to complete Belgium's comeback from a 2–0 deficit. The call sparked controversy, with critics arguing that Tielemans stepped across Camara and initiated the contact.^[284]

United States vs Bosnia and Herzegovina

During the Round of 32 match between the United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina, United States forward Folarin Balogun was shown a straight red card by referee Raphael Claus following a VAR review after his foot landed on the ankle of Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemović during an aerial challenge for the ball. The decision proved highly controversial, with many commentators describing the dismissal as excessive or incorrect, while Muharemović himself also stated that he did not believe the challenge warranted a red card.^{[citation needed][285][286][287][288]} Several pundits also compared the incident to Lionel Messi avoiding a red card for a similar challenge on Aissa Mandi during Argentina's group-stage match against Algeria, with some questioning whether the earlier decision reflected inconsistency in refereeing standards.^{[289][290][291]}

During the same match, Bosnia and Herzegovina manager Sergej Barbarez was involved in a confrontation with the officiating team and several United States players, which resulted in him receiving a yellow card for unsportsmanlike conduct. Barbarez reacted angrily after referee Claus did not award Bosnia and Herzegovina a free kick following an apparent foul by Antonee Robinson on Esmir Bajraktarević. As play continued near the Bosnian bench, Barbarez picked up the ball and protested to the officials, refusing at one point to hand it back to Malik Tillman when he attempted to restart play. He eventually relinquished the ball after being confronted by Claus, who then issued a yellow card for unsporting behaviour and deliberate delay of play. The incident drew discussion among commentators about managerial conduct and touchline discipline in high-pressure matches.^{[292][293][294]}

Portugal vs Croatia

During the Round of 32 match between Portugal and Croatia, a VAR review led to a penalty being awarded to Portugal after contact between Nikola Vlašić and Renato Veiga in the penalty area, a decision that proved controversial, with Luka Modrić arguing that both players were grappling and that such incidents should not result in a penalty.^[295] Portugal subsequently advanced after a further VAR intervention ruled out a late Croatia equaliser, as Joško Gvardiol's stoppage-time goal was disallowed for offside in the buildup. Officials determined that Igor Matanović had made a slight touch on the ball, which clipped off the head of Veiga, a sequence confirmed using FIFA's Connected Ball technology with IMU sensors embedded in the match ball.^[296] The touch affected the offside line, leaving Mario Pašalić in an offside position before Gvardiol scored, and the decision was upheld after review, with Portugal winning 2–1 to advance to the Round of 16.^[297][298]

After the game, the Croatian Football Federation (HNS) filed a formal complaint to FIFA regarding its "dissatisfaction" with the officiating process and the use of VAR technology during the match. The letter, addressed to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, explained what HNS believed to be the "incorrect application of VAR and ball sensor technology."^[299] The refereeing decisions spurred widespread negative reactions from fans and Croatian media.^[300]

Paraguay vs France

Ahead of the Round of 16 match between Paraguay and France, controversy surrounded comments by former Paraguay goalkeeper José Luis Chilavert, who referred to France as "a squad from Africa," remarks that were strongly condemned as racist by French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo.^[301] The match, played in extreme heatwave conditions reaching 38 °C (100 °F) in Philadelphia, was marked by several second-half flashpoints. Paraguay's Gustavo Velázquez was accused of scuffing the penalty spot shortly before Kylian Mbappé converted a decisive penalty. Earlier, Ousmane Dembélé briefly held the ball to distract attention from the designated taker, Mbappé. There was also a confrontation between Matías Galarza and Michael Olise, which led to Olise being booked after Galarza went down holding his face following minimal contact. Referee Ilgiz Tantashev faced criticism for his management of these incidents.^[302] The match also saw a foul count of 13 committed by Paraguay and 11 by France, with France receiving three yellow cards and Paraguay none. The officiating was widely criticised by fans and former footballers.^[303]

Following the match, France captain Kylian Mbappé criticized Paraguay's physical approach, describing it as "dirty" and saying that "we can play that way too" if necessary, while arguing that repeated fouls disrupted the match.^[304] France manager Didier Deschamps also criticized Paraguay's approach, saying: "They used every resource possible" and that there were "insults from the bench." He added, "Every team can play however they want," while questioning the lack of Paraguayan bookings.^[305]

Paraguay head coach Gustavo Alfaro defended his players after the defeat, saying they had "fought like lions" and highlighting the adversity many had overcome, including that "we have players who never knew their fathers," as he argued the team deserved recognition for reaching the Round of 16 despite difficult personal backgrounds.^[306]

The French Football Federation (FFF) also lodged an appeal with FIFA seeking to have Michael Olise's yellow card against Paraguay rescinded, arguing it resulted from an incorrect officiating decision.^[307] FIFA later rejected the appeal, with France head coach Didier Deschamps confirming that Olise's booking would stand, leaving him at risk of suspension should he receive another yellow card in the quarter-final against Morocco.^[308]

Mexico vs England

During the Round of 16 match between Mexico and England, Jarell Quansah was shown a red card for his challenge on Jesús Gallardo, after catching the latter high on his left leg, with the dismissal confirmed following a VAR review.^[323] Later in the match, referee Alireza Faghani awarded Mexico a penalty following a VAR review after Harry Kane was judged to have fouled Brian Gutiérrez inside the penalty area.^[324] Following England's 3–2 victory, head coach Thomas Tuchel criticized the officiating, describing the referee and fourth official as "not good enough" and questioning both the penalty decision and FIFA's appointment of an all-South American VAR team for the match.^[325]

A UK Labour Party lawmaker, Noah Law, called for Jarell Quansah's suspension following his red card against Mexico to be treated in a comparable manner to the Balogun case, urging a delay in enforcing the ban. He argued that fairness and tournament integrity depend on the consistent application of disciplinary rules across all teams, warning that differing outcomes in similar cases could undermine confidence in FIFA's disciplinary system.^[326] Despite calls for a review, FIFA upheld its decision on Jarell Quansah's red-card punishment. The disciplinary committee ruled that his challenge on Jesús Gallardo constituted serious foul play, adding an extra match to the automatic one-game suspension and resulting in a two-game ban.^[327]

Argentina vs Egypt

Prior to the Round of 16 match against Argentina, Egypt criticized FIFA's decision to schedule the fixture for 12:00 p.m. local time in Atlanta, with head coach Hossam Hassan arguing that the noon kickoff disadvantaged the players by forcing them to eat breakfast unusually early.^[328]

During the match, Egypt's second goal by Mostafa Ziko was disallowed following a VAR review, with referee François Letexier ruling that Marwan Attia had fouled Lisandro Martínez in the buildup by stepping on his foot and pulling his shirt. The decision sparked controversy: critics argued that VAR had exceeded its intended role, while others defended the call, noting that any foul leading directly to a goal could be reviewed under VAR protocol. Egypt later restored a 2–0 lead when Ziko scored again, but Argentina completed a comeback to win 3–2.^[329][330]

The match ended in controversy after Egypt protested Argentina's stoppage-time winner, claiming a shirt pull by Alexis Mac Allister on Hamdy Fathy in the buildup. The Egyptian team also demanded a VAR review following a play where Mohamed Salah fell after Julián Alvarez took possession of the ball inside the penalty area.^[331] Goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir was booked for protesting the decision regarding the Hamdy Fathy incident, arguing that Fathy's shirt had been torn during the play and that Fathy had not torn it himself.^[332][333]

Letexier was criticized for inconsistent officiating, with pundits such as former football players Ian Wright and Sam Allardyce noting the shirt pull by Mac Allister and challenge by Alvarez to have been similar to the foul that led to Egypt's disallowed goal.^{[273][272][334]} Goalkeeper coach Saafan El-Sagheer was sent off for his reaction toward Letexier,^[335] while Hassan was booked during the protests and crossed his arms in an "X" gesture, which is recognized by FIFA as part of an official protocol for reporting racist incidents during a match.^{[335][332][336]} Following the match, Letexier was questioned for failing to follow FIFA's anti-racism protocol in response to Hassan's alert.^[337][336] It has been noted that the reasoning for Hassan's initiation of the anti-racism protocol remains unclear, as neither Hassan nor the Egyptian Football Association have reported any cases of discrimination during the match.^{[337][338][339][336]} However, journalist Ibrahim Desouki reported that Hassan made the sign after one of his aides translated a racist Argentinian fan chant – "Beat those monkeys" – for him.^[340]

In his post-match interview, Ziko alleged that the World Cup was "rigged" in favour of Argentina and denounced the referee as "unfair".^[341] Hassan criticized the officiating, stating that there had been "no respect or fair play" during the match and suggesting that officials may have wanted to keep the defending champions in the tournament and preserve Lionel Messi's chances of advancing.^[342] Viewers also discussed a video showing FIFA president Gianni Infantino's behavior during the match, in which he reportedly looked concerned when Egypt was winning 2–0 and supposedly celebrated when Argentina managed to draw. The video was later found to be fabricated.^[343][344]

The Egyptian Football Association filed an official complaint with FIFA over the referee's decisions, demanding "the exclusion of the referee and the entire crew from the World Cup after investigating these mistakes" and alleging "the crime of discrimination against the Egyptian national team".^[345][346] Letexier's Instagram account was deactivated amid the widespread criticism.^[347]

FIFA refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina defended the officials' decisions, rejecting allegations of bias and saying that World Cup referees operate independently. He said criticism of refereeing decisions was part of football but condemned claims questioning the integrity of match officials. Collina said VAR had correctly overturned Egypt's disallowed goal due to a foul in the build-up, while the decision not to award Egypt a penalty before Argentina's winning goal was also deemed correct.^[348]

The Argentine Football Association (AFA) was also affected. On 9 July, journalists on the association's press list received an email sent from an AFA institutional account. It stated that "Argentina did not win", called the result a product of "corrupt refereeing decisions", and praised Egypt's performance.^[349] The AFA said the message had not been written or authorised by its communications team, warned recipients to disregard any unusual emails coming from its address, and admitted the account had possibly suffered unauthorised access, which it was investigating.^[350] Argentine media attributed the intrusion to hackers of Egyptian origin. A person using the alias "Hossam Hassan", the name of Egypt's head coach, separately claimed to be selling an AFA user database on a leak forum. That claim remains unverified.^[351]

France vs Morocco

Ahead of the quarter-final between France and Morocco, FIFA appointed an all-Argentine team of match officials to oversee the fixture, marking the first time in the tournament that every on-field official came from the same country.^[352] Facundo Tello was named as referee, assisted by fellow Argentines Juan Pablo Belatti and Gabriel Chade, with Darío Herrera as fourth official and Cristian Navarro as reserve assistant referee.^[353]

The appointment drew criticism on social media given the rivalry between France and Argentina, the reigning champions, who are considered one of France's main rivals to win the tournament.^[354] FIFA noted that the confederation-neutrality principle underlying its appointments—assigning officials from a confederation with no stake in either side—was satisfied by a CONMEBOL crew for a UEFA (France) versus CAF (Morocco) knockout match.^[352]

Members of the France squad downplayed the appointment. Defender Dayot Upamecano said he would not "focus on who the referee will be," while goalkeeper Robin Risser urged teammates to avoid "paranoia" ahead of kickoff.^[354] Head coach Didier Deschamps, referring to the Argentina–Egypt match, added that he hoped "our officials are as good as Monsieur Letexier was."^[355]

Moroccan fans reportedly disrupted France's night at their hotel in Boston before the match by setting off fireworks, honking cars, and playing drums outside. Security intervened, and the noise later stopped.^[356]

Following France's 2–0 victory, Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi criticized referee Facundo Tello for allowing France's opening goal to stand, claiming that Adrien Rabiot had handled the ball in the build-up before Kylian Mbappé scored and that some of his players had stopped playing because they believed a handball had occurred.^[357]

Spain vs Belgium

During the quarter-final between Spain and Belgium, a controversial handball appeal involving Rodri was denied after referee Michael Oliver allowed play to continue. VAR did not intervene, with officials explaining that the ball struck Rodri's arm after Aymeric Laporte's header and was therefore not a punishable handball under IFAB rules.^[358]

England vs Norway

During the quarter-final between England and Norway, a goal was allowed for England by Jude Bellingham to stand despite claims that an infringement had occurred during the build-up, with the ball alleged to have hit one of the cables suspended above the pitch for the aerial camera. Following a goal-kick from Norwegian goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland, England regained possession through Elliot Anderson and went on to score, although FIFA rules state that play should be restarted with a dropped ball if the ball makes contact with the camera cable.^[359] Norway players and manager Ståle Solbakken protested that the ball had changed trajectory after striking the cable, while television pundits and former referee Mark Clattenburg argued that play should have been stopped and a dropped ball awarded.^[360] However, FIFA stated that data from the connected ball showed no peak in the "heartbeat of the ball" while it was in the air, and therefore there was no evidence that the ball touched the overhead wire or that the contact changed its movement.^[361]

In the second half, Erling Haaland's push on Elliot Anderson during the attacking phase was reviewed after a goal by Torbjørn Heggem had been awarded, with referee Clément Turpin overturning the goal for a foul.^[362] In the second half of extra time, Kristoffer Ajer was shown a yellow card by Turpin for dissent after protesting when England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford came out to punch the ball and collided with his teammate Morgan Rogers, causing play to be stopped.^[363]

US appeal and FIFA review decision

Folarin Balogun's dismissal against Bosnia and Herzegovina initially carried an automatic one-match suspension, ruling him out of the United States' Round of 16 match against Belgium. However, on July 5, FIFA suspended the ban under Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, placing it on a one-year probationary period while allowing the red card itself to stand. The decision made Balogun eligible to face Belgium and marked the first time since the introduction of FIFA's automatic suspension system that a World Cup red-card suspension had been suspended rather than served.^[364][365] FIFA had previously informed The Athletic that national associations could not appeal red cards or the resulting suspensions during the World Cup, leading to suggestions that the disciplinary committee had acted on its own initiative.^[365]

Marco Rubio, the United States Secretary of State, had earlier called for the red card to be reviewed, while U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed FIFA's decision on Truth Social, writing: "Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!"^[366] According to a report in The Guardian, the US President Donald Trump made three calls to FIFA lobbying to have the ban lifted.^[367] United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino welcomed FIFA's decision to suspend the ban, saying those who value ethics and integrity "should celebrate" the ruling.^[368] President Trump later confirmed he had asked FIFA to review Balogun's red card suspension, saying he believed the decision "was not a foul" and that FIFA "made the right decision" in suspending the ban.^[369]

Historical precedents

Balogun's suspended ban drew comparisons to Brazil's Garrincha, whose dismissal in the semi-finals of the 1962 FIFA World Cup didn't result in a suspension and he was allowed to play in the final which Brazil won. However, Garrincha's case predated FIFA's introduction of automatic suspensions for World Cup red cards and a ban would have had to have been issued by the disciplinary committee that met following day.^[370] The committee decided against suspending Garrincha for the final, allegedly influenced by intervention from the President of the host nation, Chile, Jorge Alessandri. There are also allegations that the linesman who saw the red card incident and alerted the referee was bribed. He left the country and didn't attend the committee to give evidence. Out of 189 other red cards at World Cups, only Garrincha had escaped a suspension for a red card before Balogun.^{[371][372][373]}

FIFA cited Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code in suspending Balogun's ban. The provision had previously been used to suspend World Cup bans for Cristiano Ronaldo, Nicolás Otamendi, and Moisés Caicedo, all of whom had been sent off during World Cup qualification and were subsequently cleared to play in the tournament.^{[364][374][375]}

Belgian reaction and European support

The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) issued a statement expressing shock at FIFA's decision to suspend Balogun's automatic one-match ban. They argued the ruling contradicted FIFA Disciplinary Code Article 66.4 and 2026 World Cup Regulation Article 10.5, both of which mandate an automatic suspension for a red card in the next match. The RBFA said they would review all options to protect fair play and tournament integrity, while coach Rudi Garcia likened the announcement to an April Fools' Day joke.^{[376][377][378]} The RBFA further stated that FIFA reportedly removed the section on automatic suspensions from the match coordination meeting presentation, despite its inclusion in earlier meetings. The association said it raised the issue orally and in writing but received no response, and added that FIFA later treated its correspondence as an appeal without providing a formal decision or explanation.^[379]

European governing body UEFA released a statement strongly criticizing FIFA's decision to overturn Folarin Balogun's automatic one-match World Cup suspension, calling it had "crossed a red line" and describing it as "unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable".^[380][381] Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter, Norway manager Ståle Solbakken and England manager Thomas Tuchel were all critical of the decision.^{[382][383][384]} The decision further prompted institutional criticism at the European level, with the European Commission also called for fairness and transparency in sporting governance and emphasized the importance of objective and transparent decision-making in sport.^[385] Javier Tebas, president of La Liga, argued that the case reflected broader governance issues within FIFA and criticized what he described as arbitrary decision-making.^[386] The controversy also prompted action at the European Parliament, where MEPs Barry Andrews of Renew Europe, Lara Wolters and Niels Fuglsang of the Socialists and Democrats group initiated a letter calling for an investigation into FIFA's decision-making process regarding Balogun's suspension.^[387]

FIFA response

FIFA president Gianni Infantino responded to criticism by stressing that FIFA's disciplinary bodies are fully independent and operate autonomously under the FIFA Disciplinary Code. He said decisions are made solely on the facts and regulations, and that their independence must be respected regardless of external political or public pressure.^[388]

FIFA's Appeals Committee rejected Belgium's challenge to Balogun's eligibility for the World Cup round of 16, ruling the Royal Belgian Football Association had no standing to appeal as it was not a party to the original disciplinary proceedings.^[389]

On July 6, 2026, the chairperson of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee issued a statement explaining the decision, confirming that the red card shown to Balogun during the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina had not been overturned. FIFA stated that the committee had upheld the automatic one-match suspension resulting from the sending-off, but used Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code to suspend the implementation of the ban for a one-year probationary period. The suspension would only be enforced if Balogun committed another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during that period. The committee also confirmed that Balogun was fined USD 40,000, with half attributed to the violation concerning player misconduct during the celebration and half to the offence relating to the red-card suspension. The United States Soccer Federation was declared jointly liable for payment of the fine under Article 6.5 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.^[390]

Post-match remarks

Following Belgium's victory over the United States, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said that the team had "punished the disrespect" shown toward Belgium in the build-up to the match.^[391] Belgium players also mocked Donald Trump after the 4–1 win, performing his trademark dance celebration on the pitch after scoring, and repeating it in the dressing room.^[392] The official Belgium account also posted a photo of Romelu Lukaku cupping his ear with the caption "Overturn this," referencing FIFA's decision to overturn Balogun's suspension before the match.^[393] The celebrations were interpreted as criticism of Trump's involvement in the dispute and FIFA's decision, as well as the Belgian team seemingly being "motivated" to win by all those controversies.^[394][395]

Attack on buses in New York City by Knicks fans

Following the New York Knicks winning the 2026 NBA Finals on June 13, 2026, fans of the team attacked shuttle buses transporting spectators from MetLife Stadium following the Brazil versus Morocco match. Knicks fans forced nine shuttle buses to be abandoned, and destroyed five, with one bus being set on fire.^[406] No reports of injuries to spectators were reported.^[407]

Mexican racist gesture towards South Korean fan

During the June 11 match between South Korea and Czechia, a Mexican man was filmed making a racist gesture towards a South Korean fan in the stands.^[408][409] The fan, Yoon Su Jin, a Korean YouTuber who also goes by the name "Ino Cat", posted a video of the incident on social media, and it quickly went viral. Yoon made a post on Instagram in which she thanked her fans for their support^[410] and said, "You travelled across the world for the World Cup ... and experienced racism."^[408] The Mexican man was later identified as Ulises Fernando Bernal Miramontes, who was reported to have lost his job at an engineering firm soon after the match.^[409] On June 14, Bernal posted a public apology on social media, acknowledging that the video had circulated widely and "generated a wide range of reactions".^[411] Yoon was invited by FIFA to attend the June 18 match between South Korea and Mexico.^[410][412]

Clashes between Argentine and Algerian supporters

On June 16, clashes broke out between supporters of the Argentina national team and the Algeria national team in New York City's Times Square ahead of the teams' opening match. Videos circulating on social media showed groups of fans exchanging punches and kicks before police intervened to restore order. According to the New York City Police Department, one person was taken into custody and issued a summons for disorderly conduct, while no injuries were reported. The incident was widely reported as one of the first major episodes of fan violence during the tournament.^[413]

Granit Xhaka reaction controversy

Following Switzerland's 4–1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Swiss captain Granit Xhaka became the subject of criticism for what USA Today described as "toxic rumors" due to a hand gesture he made while on the field after scoring a late penalty goal.^[414] It was reportedly in response to previous allegations of creating a toxic environment, with Xhaka saying, "They know why I did it," after the match.^[415]

Criticism of photographers' positioning during national anthems

Several national team managers criticised the positioning of photographers during national anthems at matches. England manager Thomas Tuchel said that the number of photographers placed in front of the benches prevented him from seeing his players during the anthem, while Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann also criticised their proximity, joking that he felt as though the photographers were "taking pictures of the hairs in my nose". Both managers called on FIFA to reconsider the placement of photographers during pre-match ceremonies.^[416] Due to the complaints, FIFA agreed to move the positions of the photographers for all subsequent pre-match national anthem performances.^[417]

Uruguay coach media incidents

Uruguay manager Marcelo Bielsa was involved in two media-related incidents during the tournament. The first came during his official FIFA photoshoot, where his portrait showing him with his head bowed and eyes downcast drew attention and criticism on social media. Bielsa responded by stating he was "no model" and did not need to justify the pose, adding that there was nothing unusual about wearing glasses or looking down.^[418][419]

The second occurred after Uruguay's elimination against Spain, when Bielsa was filmed becoming frustrated while waiting for a live post-match TV interview. Reports stated the delay was caused by brief camera setup adjustments, during which he reportedly shouted "¡Dale de una vez!" ("Hurry up") before the interview began.^[420][421] He later apologized for his reaction and for the earlier photoshoot controversy, describing his conduct as inappropriate and driven by frustration.^[422]

KFA defeat and corruption investigations

Following South Korea's disappointing elimination and defeated by South Africa,^[423] President Lee Jae Myung called for an investigation into the KFA.^[424] KFA coach and president Hong Myung-Bo and Chung Mong-gyu were resigned from their positions shortly after the team's elimination.^[425] Chung submitted his formal resignation letter earlier in the day after presiding over his final meeting with senior executives at Korea Football Park in Cheonan, some 90 kilometers south of Seoul.^[426]

Fan behavior in Mexico

In Mexico, following the Mexican national football team's many victories, there have been reports of fans shaking vehicles. On several occasions, drivers accelerated and ran over fans, injuring several people.^[427][428] In Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, a driver, who was traveling with his family, ran over 17 people after his vehicle was shaken. As he attempted to flee, he crashed the vehicle and was subsequently attacked by the fans.^[429] The driver died a week later.^[430]

It has been reported that fans have left large amounts of trash in the streets of Mexico. Along Paseo de la Reforma in Mexico City, a common gathering place for celebrations due to the Angel of Independence monument, damage has been reported to the avenue's greenery. Bus shelters along Line 7 of the Metrobús, which runs along the avenue, have also been damaged. Several fans have been photographed urinating on posters of missing persons at the Glorieta de las y los Desaparecidos.^[431] Mexican soccer fans verbally harassed madres buscadoras, assaulted a journalist defending them, and, during rain-soaked celebrations, used banners bearing photographs of missing persons to shield themselves from the rain.^[432]

Online racist abuse against players

Following the Netherlands' elimination from the tournament after a penalty shootout loss to Morocco, several Dutch players, including Justin Kluivert, Quinten Timber, and Crysencio Summerville, who missed their penalties, were subjected to racist abuse on social media platforms.^[451][452] The Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) described the abuse as "terrible" and said racism and discrimination have no place in football, online, or in society, and it would file complaints with Meld.Online Discriminatie. Dutch Minister for Sport Mirjam Sterk also condemned the abuse as "deeply regrettable" and said cases could be referred to police for investigation.^[453]

Reports circulating online claiming the existence of a formal petition targeting migrant-background German national team players following their penalty shootout elimination to Paraguay were later debunked as misinformation.^[454]

Egypt's hotel security incident

A security incident occurred at Westin Hotel in Arlington, Texas, ahead of Egypt's Round of 32 match against Australia. A Dallas police officer pushed Egypt assistant coach Ibrahim Hassan and another member of the delegation, who were not wearing credentials, away from player Trézéguet, who was taking pictures with a child fan.^[455][456] This led to a brief verbal exchange with the police officer. The situation was quickly de-escalated on site, and the Egyptian Football Association later confirmed that the matter was minor, with team preparations continuing as normal.^[457] Dallas police said they had responded to a hotel security request after an individual without event credentials attempted to gain access, and later expressed appreciation to the Egyptian delegation by presenting a gold World Cup security badge.^[458]

Racist abuse of Indian-Americans

During the 2026 FIFA World Cup, several Indian-American communities reported having experienced discrimination and racist abuse by tourists and foreigners. In New York City's "Little India" community, residents complained that groups of World Cup fans "littered, made lots of noise, and generally showed no sense of respect for Little India or its residents." In Los Angeles, Indian-American business owners reported incidents of direct racism towards the community perpetrated by World Cup tourists, including an incident where a group of men wearing England jerseys entered an Indian restaurant and started shouting at the staff, allegedly using slurs such as "Pajeet". In another instance, a man wearing an Argentina jersey entered a convenience store and yelled at the checkout worker, who was Indian. According to video footage, the customer said "there's never a normal white person working at these stores" and made various xenophobic statements before leaving.^[459]

Croatia fan reactions to disallowed goal

After Croatia's stoppage-time goal against Portugal in the Round of 32 was disallowed after a lengthy VAR check, Croatian fans, who were concentrated on the south end of the stadium where the would-be tying goal crossed the line, started throwing plastic bottles and other debris onto the pitch, delaying the restart of the game. The fans booed as players from both teams helped remove the objects from the field.^[460][461]

IShowSpeed racism controversy

During the July 3 Round of 32 match between Argentina and Cape Verde at Miami Stadium, streamer and internet personality IShowSpeed was the target of racist chants heard in certain sections of the crowd.^[462] Speed had been streaming live from the game while wearing a Cape Verde jersey when fans wearing Argentina gear started surrounding him. A fan near him in the stands allegedly used a racial slur^[463] and told him to "go home". Another fan was heard telling Speed to "go cry at the zoo" in Spanish.^[464] After initially responding to the fans, Speed ignored them and continued watching the game.^[465][466] Footage of the incident went viral on social media and prompted FIFA to issue a condemnation statement.^[467][464] On July 6, FIFA launched an investigation into the incident after they became aware of an "alleged incident of racist abuse."^[468] FIFA said that it "strongly condemns racism, hate and discrimination in all forms" on a statement released on July 7 on the social media platform X.^[469] The incident has fueled online discourse about the history and prevalence of racism in Argentina,^[470] especially in light of a controversy at the 2024 Copa América where some members of the Argentinian team sang a racist song targeting minority players on France's team.^[470][471]

In a different incident, during the July 7 round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt, a fan in the stands appeared to be making monkey gestures at Speed, who was seated in the front row directly behind the Egyptian net.^[472] In an X post written in Spanish, the fan, posting under the name Micha, denied allegations of racism and said he had been attempting to mimic a gesture Speed made earlier in the match when he was attempting to distract Argentina's Lionel Messi during a penalty kick.^[473][472]

Moroccan fan assaulted in Lille

On July 6 in Lille, France, a Moroccan woman wearing a Morocco national football team jersey was assaulted by local youths. The incident occurred during street celebrations following Morocco's victory over Canada.^[474]

German fan assaulted in Toronto

On June 20, Alex Alber, a German national visiting for the World Cup, was attacked by a group of young men at a popular bar in downtown Toronto. The attack left Alber’s German jersey stained with blood, and he was taken to a nearby hospital where he received stitches. According to Alber, the confrontation started when one of the men asked him about a rainbow coloured fan he was holding, prompting concerns about whether the attack was motivated by homophobia.^[475][476]

Swedish fan killed at Copenhagen fan zone

On June 30, Christian Zedig, a 32-year-old Swedish citizen and off-duty officer of the Swedish Police Authority, was fatally assaulted at a World Cup fan zone in Copenhagen's Islands Brygge district, where a crowd had gathered to watch the Round of 32 match between Norway and Ivory Coast on a public screen, ahead of Sweden's own match against France later that evening.^[477] According to Danish prosecutors, an altercation broke out during a goal celebration, during which Zedig was punched and suffered severe injuries; he later died in a hospital.^[477]

A suspect in his 30s surrendered to Copenhagen Police on July 3 after authorities released his photograph and appealed for information; he was remanded in custody for 26 days pending investigation and denies wrongdoing.^[477] The killing prompted expressions of condolence from Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and from Zedig's colleagues in the Höglandet police district, where a memorial gathering was held.^[477] Copenhagen's mayor for children and youth, Jakob Næsager, called for public World Cup screenings at Islands Brygge to be cancelled following the attack.^[478]

Argentina fans throw beer at Egypt fans

During Argentina's Round of 16 match against Egypt, Argentinian player Lionel Messi scored a goal in the 83rd minute, tying Argentina with Egypt. After the goal, Argentina fans reportedly began hurling beer and taunting Egypt fans. Videos uploaded onto social media platforms show the fans telling supporters of Egypt to "Go. Go. Go. Vale. Vale." after the final whistle.^[479][480]

Fan brawl at National Mall

On July 6, during the United States' match against Belgium, a large fight broke out at the designated FIFA "Fan Zone" at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. According to a video filmed by a news crew, the fight started as an argument between two people "before more spectators joined in and began throwing water bottles."^[481] The United States Park Police said that one person was escorted from the venue. No information about possible injuries related to the altercation has been released.^[482]

Assault of Toronto Police Officers

During the June 12 match between Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina, two German nationals sitting in the Bosnia and Herzegovina fan section were arrested after two Toronto Police Service officers had objects thrown at them while responding to an altercation between fans in the section. The two German nationals, 25-year-old Emir Colic and 27-year-old Eldar Grabovac, were both charged with assault of a peace officer, and both officers were treated for minor injuries.^[483][484]

Riots in Europe after Morocco defeat

After Morocco lost their World Cup game against France, there was a large amount of rioting, looting and other crime in several European cities. In London, there were clashes between crowds and looting of stores, resulting in police officers getting injured. Most of the unrest in London occurred near Edgware Road, an area of the city with a large Muslim population. Supporters were reported to be disrupting traffic and surrounded officers sent to the area. In footage shared on social media, there was “flares, thick smoke, objects being thrown, and riot police units advancing with shields between police vehichles.” One Metropolitan Police officer was reported to have suffered head injuries and has to be hospitalised after being strolick with a glass bottle. The British Police reported that at least four people had been arrested relating to these incidents.^[485][486]

More disorders were reported in Düsseldorf, Germany, where it was reported that about 1,500 Morocco supporters had gathered near the central railway station. According to police, the atmosphere was initially peaceful but later turned aggressive. Three police officers were injured after fans threw firecrackers and glass bottles at them. Two men were arrested and several criminal investigations were opened.^[485][487]

Disorders was also reported in the Netherlands, were riot police were deployed to Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague, after Morocco supporters remained in the streets after their country’s defeat. In Amsterdam, eight people were arrested for “public order offences” including one man who reportedly threw a brick at a police officer.^[485] In The Hague, fans thew bottles and pyrotechnics at officers.^[488] Moroccan football fans in the Netherlands were also reported to have been chanting antisemitic and homophobic slogans after the match.^{[489][490][491]}

Alexi Lalas "free soccer" controversy

On July 3, after the United States defeated Bosnia in the round of the last 32, commentator Alexi Lalas was asked on Twitter for his opinion on whether the American "pay to play" system is ruining youth soccer in America.^{[492][non-primary source needed]} Lalas responded with a tweet saying "Sure. Pay to play is not ruining youth soccer. Millions benefit. It's a business catering to a market willing to pay for the product. Soccer (like piano lessons) is not an inalienable right. Free soccer costs money. Someone has to pay. So who will pay for all this free soccer?"^{[493][non-primary source needed]} After the United States lost to Belgium in the round of the last 16, Lalas posted another tweet about his opinion on free soccer, saying "I’d love if soccer was free to all. But who is going to pay for all this free soccer?"^[494] His comments drew widespread debate and discourse around the soccer world,^[494] with former Guatemala player Jandro saying "Youth sports should not be a business",^[495] to which Lalas directly responded "So they should be taxpayers funded government entities or charities?"^{[496][non-primary source needed]} Lalas has previously argued that the American "pay-to-play" model "is not ruining youth soccer."^[497][494]

On The Dan Patrick Show, Entertainment Tonight host Kevin Frazier and producer Seton O’Connor both used their platforms to challenge Lalas’ stance.^{[498][499][500]} Seton O’Connor said "Why do companies think that buying 30 seconds of advertising creates more value than building the next generation of players? I feel like that’s something that a proud American and a proud capitalist who also loves soccer, like Alexi Lalas, could speak to."^[501][502] Lalas was labelled as "part of the problem" of why the United States men's national team has underperformed on the world stage.^[503]

StubHub ticket cancellations controversy

During the 2026 FIFA World Cup, StubHub was widely criticized following multiple reports that fans had their resale tickets cancelled shortly before matches, even though they were purchased weeks or months in advance. Affected customers claimed they could not enter the games, and were offered refunds, or even "store credit", rather than alternative tickets. The issue resulted in a class-action lawsuit against the company.^{[504][505][506]}

Dallas mural lawsuit

In June 2026, marine artist Robert Wyland filed a $25 million lawsuit against FIFA after his iconic "Whaling Wall 82 / Ocean Life" mural in downtown Dallas was painted over to make room for World Cup advertisements. Wyland's mural, which had originally been painted in 1999 to raise awareness about ocean pollution, had been mostly painted over by May 18.^[507] Wyland's legal team cited the Visual Artists Rights Act (VARA), a U.S. copyright law that protects prominent public art from unauthorised destruction or defacement.^[508] According to an official statement, "FIFA has no involvement in this whatsoever and refers all inquiries on this matter to the host city committee."^[509][508] Wyland said he was "shocked" when he learned that FIFA would be whitewashing the mural, and called the impending lawsuit "a David and Goliath thing for sure".^[510]

Prohibited items policy

A request for an emergency temporary restraining order (TRO) was filed^{[by whom?]} in California against FIFA's ban on political symbols, which prevented fans from bringing flags—including the Lion and Sun flag—at SoFi Stadium. The case was dismissed without any TRO being issued.^[511]

FBI investigations on Argentine Football Association

On July 8, 2026, Argentine newspaper La Nación reported that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), together with U.S. federal prosecutors, was conducting a preliminary investigation into the Argentine Football Association (AFA) over suspected money laundering and fraud. The investigation reportedly focused on financial operations involving the commercial rights of the Argentina national team, including the alleged diversion of millions of U.S. dollars through Florida-based companies. According to the report, investigators were examining transactions totaling approximately US$300 million, including more than US$42 million alleged to have been improperly diverted, although no criminal charges had been announced.^{[512][513][514]}

World Cup Ticket Platform Patent Dispute

On July 6, 2026, TicketMatrix LLC filed a federal lawsuit in Delaware against On Location Events LLC, the official provider of hospitality ticket packages for the 2026 World Cup. The lawsuit alleges that On Location's digital platform, specifically its "Follow My Team" package option, infringes on an online ticketing software patent owned by TicketMatrix.^[515]

California Attorney General inquiry

On May 13, California attorney general Rob Bonta sent a letter to FIFA regarding his concerns about potentially misleading ticketing practices relating to the upcoming World Cup, as they may have violated California's strict consumer protection laws. In a statement, Bonta said "Californians deserve transparency and fairness when purchasing tickets for any event held in our state. Californians should be able to trust that the seats they purchase match the representations made during the sales process. We look forward to receiving the requested information from FIFA as part of our ongoing review." Bonta requested various information about ticket sales for World Cup games in California to assess whether any state laws may have been violated.^[516]