Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz said his team should have been awarded a penalty during a match against England on June 24, 2026 [1].
The dispute over officiating in a high-stakes World Cup group stage match can influence team momentum and spark broader debates regarding the consistency of video assistant refereeing (VAR) in international tournaments.
The match, which took place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey [2], ended in a 0-0 draw [1]. Queiroz said he was frustrated following the game, arguing that the officiating staff missed a clear foul in the box that would have given Ghana a legitimate scoring opportunity [3].
"We deserved a penalty. The referee missed it and VAR did nothing," Queiroz said [4].
The coach's reaction centered on the belief that the lack of a penalty call directly impacted the final result of the contest. He said the missed call prevented Ghana from potentially securing three points in the standings, a critical factor in the group stage of the tournament.
"I was angry because the decision cost us a chance to win the game," Queiroz said [5].
This incident follows a series of tactical adjustments by the Ghana squad to compete with the England side. Despite the scoreless result, the match highlighted Ghana's ability to maintain a defensive stalemate against a top-tier opponent, even as the coaching staff felt the officials denied them a decisive advantage [3].
The match was part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage [2]. Queiroz said his tactical vision for the squad was clear, though the outcome remained a draw due to the contested non-call [6].
“"We deserved a penalty. The referee missed it and VAR did nothing."”
A scoreless draw against England is a respectable result for Ghana, but the controversy over a missed penalty suggests a perceived lack of parity in officiating. If VAR continues to be a point of contention for coaches, it may lead to increased pressure on FIFA to refine the review process for the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup.
