World Cup’s most controversial moments —VAR, Messi, Balogun and football’s biggest debates

Source: New York Post

For the last six weeks, the 2026 FIFA World Cup had breathtaking goals, sold-out stadiums and unforgettable superstars.   Now that the final at MetLife Stadium is upon us, it’s time to look back at some of the most controversial moments of the tournament on the pitch.   Whether it was a red card, a microscopic offside, a penalty awarded after a lengthy review or a controversial decision that never received a second look, technology and officiating became as much a part of this World Cup as Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal.