World Cup 2026: FIFA reportedly acknowledges VAR error after Algeria’s complaint

FIFA has reportedly responded to the Algerian Football Federation’s complaint over the refereeing of Algeria’s 3-0 defeat to Argentina in their opening Group J match at the 2026 World Cup.

The complaint, submitted by the Algerian Football Federation (FAF), focused on two controversial incidents during the match that have continued to generate discussion since the final whistle.

According to recent reports, football’s world governing body reviewed the footage and concluded that the video assistant referee (VAR) team made an error by failing to alert referee Szymon Marciniak to the incidents highlighted by Algeria.

The two situations at the centre of the complaint involved Argentina captain Lionel Messi and midfielder Alexis Mac Allister.

The first concerned a challenge in which Messi appeared to make contact with the calf of Algerian defender Aïssa Mandi.

The second involved an incident in which Mac Allister was accused of striking Algeria international Ibrahim Maza in the face with an elbow during a challenge.

According to reports relayed by journalist Hafid Derradji, FIFA believes the VAR officials should have instructed Marciniak to review both incidents on the pitchside monitor before making a final decision.

The same reports indicate that FIFA has decided to sanction the VAR officials involved in the match after determining that mistakes were made during the review process.

The developments have also drawn attention to the organisation of VAR operations at the 2026 World Cup.

According to Derradji, video assistant referees are not operating from the stadiums hosting the matches. Instead, all VAR reviews are being handled from a centralised facility in Dallas, United States, where footage from matches played across the United States, Canada and Mexico is processed.

The journalist further stated that FIFA does not publicly announce the identities of VAR officials before matches, unlike on-field referees. According to the report, even match referees learn the identities of the VAR officials only shortly before kick-off.

Derradji also reported that Mandi told people close to him that Marciniak informed him immediately after the challenge involving Messi that the incident was under VAR review.

According to the account, the referee was later advised that no offence requiring intervention had occurred, allowing play to continue.

Despite the reported acknowledgement of an error, the result of the match remains unchanged, with Argentina securing a 3-0 victory over Algeria in their opening World Cup fixture.