FIFA has broken its silence on the controversial VAR decision that overshadowed Germany’s shock FIFA World Cup 2026 exit, insisting that the disallowed extra-time goal against Paraguay was in line with new refereeing guidelines introduced ahead of the tournament.The governing body responded a day after four-time champions Germany crashed out in the Round of 32, losing 4-3 on penalties to Paraguay after a 1-1 draw. The decisive moment came in the 101st minute when Jonathan Tah headed home what appeared to be the winning goal, only for referee Jalal Jayed to overturn it after a VAR review for a foul by Waldemar Anton on Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill.The decision sparked widespread criticism across Germany, but FIFA referees chief Pierluigi Collina defended the interpretation, saying officials were instructed to punish attackers who deliberately obstruct opponents without trying to play the ball.
FIFA explains controversial VAR decision
Referring to the debate, Collina said the incident coincided with the guidance given to referees before the World Cup.“Even if maintaining a position is not a foul, if an attacking player is not interested in the ball and deliberately moves, even slightly, with the clear intention of blocking the movement of the opponents and preventing him from defending, then the referees, and VAR if necessary, must carefully analyze the incident and intervene,” said Collina.“This is especially the case when the tactic aims to prevent the opposing goalkeeper from being able to defend the goal.”ALSO READ: Why Klopp targeted Arsenal while slamming VAR after Germany’s World Cup exitCollina emphasized that the stricter interpretation should not surprise teams.“Coaches and players have been informed so it is not surprising that the referees will punish these fouls,” he said.FIFA’s referee chief also praised several rule changes introduced at the tournament to reduce time-wasting, including limits on goal kicks, throw-ins and substitutions, as well as asking injured players to stay on the field for one minute.“These measures are all very effective and are collectively considered very positive innovations,” added Collina.
Germany was furious after the dramatic exit
FIFA’s explanation came later Germany legend Thomas Muller launched a scathing attack on VARinsisting his side were denied a legitimate winning goal.“I honestly don’t know what the VAR is looking at. What is that called? The goalkeeper must be the luckiest player on the pitch because, from everything I saw, Germany scored a perfectly legitimate goal,” said Muller on Magenta TV.The former Germany forward accused the officials of looking for a foul that did not exist.“We, the Germans, feel used and cheated. It’s wrong. It’s the robbery of the day on the biggest football stage. If that’s a foul, then football has completely lost its consistency because we’ve seen stronger challenges allowed in all tournaments,” he said.Muller also sympathized with teammate Jonathan Tah, whose disallowed goal was followed by a penalty shootout.“You work your whole life to play in a World Cup, you fight for every ball, in the end you score what could be the victory, and then a person sitting in a room hundreds of meters away decides to erase that moment with a decision that millions of people cannot agree with.He concluded by questioning football’s reliance on technology.“I can accept losing to a better team. I can accept the missed opportunities. But I can’t accept that perfectly good intentions are taken away because of an interpretation that no one understands. Germany deserves better than this, and football deserves better. Today, it feels like technology is punishing us instead of protecting us,” Muller said.The defeat marked Germany’s first ever World Cup exit and only their second defeat in a penalty shootout at a major international tournament, while Paraguay advanced to the Round of 16 after one of the biggest upsets of the 2026 competition.