Germany’s controversial exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup has sparked a wave of criticism from some of the country’s biggest names in football, with former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp leading the backlash by questioning the VAR decision that disallowed Jonathan Tah’s extra-time winner against Paraguay – and dragging Premier League champions Arsenal into the debate.Germany were knocked out by Paraguay in a dramatic Round of 32 clash, losing 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. However, the defining moment came in the 101st minute when Tah’s goal was disallowed after a VAR review for an alleged foul by Waldemar Anton on Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill.
Why Klopp brought Arsenal up for debate
Speaking to German broadcaster MagentaTV after the defeat, Klopp questioned the consistency of the decision and pointed to Arsenal’s effectiveness from set pieces as an example.“If the goal is illegal, Arsenal will not be English champions. They score 60 percent of their goals that way,” said Klopp.The former Liverpool boss suggested that if the level of contact involving Anton was deemed sufficient to disallow Tah’s goal, similar incidents that often occur in set-piece situations – including many of Arsenal’s goals – could also be ruled out.Klopp’s comments added fuel to the growing debate over VAR’s interpretation of physical challenges inside the penalty area.
Klose: “VAR looks for reasons to cancel goals”
Germany legend Miroslav Klose was equally critical, insisting Tah’s goal should stand.“I honestly can’t believe that the referee and the VAR rejected that. If that was enough to disallow a goal in a FIFA World Cupthen the football becomes too soft. The goalkeeper was never prevented from making the save, and for me it was a perfectly legitimate goal,” Klose told Sky Sports.The former World Cup leading scorer has argued that VAR has strayed from its original purpose.“This is exactly why many supporters are disappointed with VAR. Instead of correcting clear and obvious mistakes, it continues to look for small incidents to cancel goals. Millions of fans come to watch football, not endless replays looking for reasons to get goals.”Klose also felt that the decision completely shifted the momentum of the match.“The referee completely destroyed Germany’s momentum with that decision. These are the moments that change the World Cups, and in my opinion, they made a big mistake.
Schweinsteiger supported Tah after the penalty heartbreak
Former Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger focused on the psychological impact of the overturned goal on Tah, who later missed from the penalty spot.“I honestly think that the disallowed goal has not gone out of Jonathan Tah’s mind. Imagine that you think you have scored the goal that sends your country, celebrate with your teammates, and then VAR takes it away. Moments like that stay with you,” Schweinsteiger told ARD.He added that football is a mental game rather than a technical one.“When he went to take that penalty, I don’t think he was completely free mentally. Football is as psychological as it is technical. I really believe that the first goal that was rejected affected him.”Schweinsteiger also defended the defender from criticism.“I’m not going to point the finger at Jonathan Tah because penalties are taken by brave players, not cowards. But I can’t help but think that if that first goal had stood, Germany wouldn’t have been in a penalty shootout.”