Spanish paper 🇪🇸 lists the biggest refereeing rows so far in the Copa | OneFootball

The 2026 FIFA World Cup enters the quarterfinal stage this Thursday (9), but debates over refereeing and the use of technology have already taken over the tournament.

The Spanish newspaper Marca put together a list of the most controversial decisions that have marked the competition so far. Check it out below!

'The Balogun case'

According to the publication, the biggest controversy happened off the pitch. American forward Folarin Balogun was supposed to serve a suspension after being sent off, but was cleared to play against Belgium after FIFA postponed the punishment.

The review of the card came right after an intervention by U.S. president Donald Trump, sparking controversy and accusations of political interference in FIFA, something the organization denied.

📸 Michael Steele - 2026 Getty Images

'Vini Law' comes into effect

The new rule that punishes players who cover their mouths while speaking to opponents or referees has already led to dismissals in the tournament.

Paraguay's Miguel Almirón was the first to receive a straight red card for the offense, against Turkey.

📸 Stu Forster - 2026 Getty Images

Days later, Ecuador's Piero Hincapié received the same punishment against Mexico.

📸 Luke Hales - 2026 Getty Images

VAR in the spotlight

Marca recalled VAR's strictness against Brazil, when minimal contact at the start of the move ruled out what would have been Vinicius Junior's third goal in the 3-0 win over Scotland.

On the other hand, the newspaper highlighted the referees' leniency toward Lionel Messi. Against Algeria, the Argentine No. 10 came down hard from behind on Mandi and did not even receive a yellow card. Minutes later, he would score two goals in the match.

Meanwhile, in the clash between France and Senegal, the complaint was about an alleged penalty not awarded to Kylian Mbappé after a challenge in the box.

📸 TIMOTHY A. CLARY - AFP or licensors

Croatia were eliminated by Portugal after having a goal disallowed in stoppage time due to the ball's internal sensor technology, which detected an almost imperceptible touch by a Croatian player who was offside at the start of the move.

Egypt also had plenty of reasons to complain about their elimination against Argentina.

The Africans had a fine goal disallowed because of a foul committed many seconds before the finish, and they also appealed for two penalties not given for fouls on Mohamed Salah.

Opening match with a record number of red cards

The list ends by recalling the World Cup opener between Mexico and South Africa, which set the record for the most sendings-off in opening matches at World Cups.

The most questioned decision was the straight red card shown to South Africa's Zwane for a foul away from the ball, an incident that opened the floodgates for debate over what Marca called excessively strict refereeing in the competition.

📸 YURI CORTEZ - AFP or licensors

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

📸 ROBERTO SCHMIDT - AFP or licensors