FIFA has remained silent on the controversial VAR decision that overshadowed Germany’s exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting that the 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 German champions 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, but referee Jalal Jayed had to change it after a VAR review for a foul by Waldemar Anton on Paraguayan player Orlando Gill.The decision sparked opposition across Germany, but FIFA chief Pierluigi Collina defended the definition, saying officials were instructed to punish those who deliberately obstructed opponents without attempting to play the ball.
FIFA explains controversial VAR decision
Commenting on the dispute, Collina said the incident was similar to the instructions given to players before the national football tournament.“Although keeping a position is not a mistake, when the player is not interested in the ball and moves deliberately, even slowly, with the aim of preventing the opponents from defending, then the opposition, with VAR when necessary, must carefully investigate the situation and intervene,” said Collina.“This is especially the case when the strategy aims to prevent the opposing goalkeeper from defending the goal.”ALSO READ: Why Klopp targeted Arsenal as he slammed VAR after Germany’s World Cup exitCollina emphasized that the strict interpretation should not surprise the groups.“Teachers and players have been informed so we should not be surprised that the players will punish these mistakes,” he said.The FIFA boss also praised a number of changes introduced to the game to reduce time-wasting, including goal-scoring limits, throw-ins and substitutions, and the requirement for injured players to stay off the field for at least one minute.“All of these methods have been very effective and are considered innovative,” added Collina.
Germany were furious after their surprise exit
FIFA’s explanation came later German legend Thomas Muller launched a scathing attack on VARinsists his side were denied a legitimate winning goal.“Honestly I don’t know what VAR is looking at anymore. What is that call? The footballer must be the luckiest player on the pitch because, from what I’ve seen, Germany has scored a legitimate goal,” Muller told Magenta TV.The former German striker accused the authorities of looking for a fault that does not exist.“We, the Germans, feel that we are being used and deceived. This is wrong. This is daylight robbery on the biggest stage of football. If it is disgusting, then football has completely lost its coherence because we have seen the most powerful problems that are allowed throughout the competition,” he said.Muller also felt sorry for his team-mate Jonathan Tah, whose goal was disallowed following a missed penalty in the shootout.“You work all your life to play at the World Cup, you fight for every ball, in the end you score what could be the winning goal, and then someone sitting in a room hundreds of meters away decides to take away that moment in a decision that millions of people will not agree with. This is disappointing for any football player at that distance,” he added.He concluded by questioning football’s reliance on technology.“I can accept losing to a good team, I can accept losing an opportunity. But I cannot accept having a good intention dismissed because of an interpretation that no one understands. Germany deserves better than this, and football deserves better than this. At the moment, it seems like we’ve been punished by technology rather than protected by it,” Muller said.The defeat marked Germany’s early exit from the World Cup and their second loss at a major international tournament, with Paraguay going through to the last 16 after major setbacks for the 2026 tournament.
