World Cup 2026: Ivory Coast legend Didier Drogba blasts VAR after exit to Norway

Ivory Coast legend Didier Drogba has strongly criticized the use of VAR following the sides’ controversial elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the hands of Norway.

The Elephants were knocked out of the tournament after suffering a narrow 2-1 defeat in the Round of 32, but much of the post-match discussion centred around a disputed refereeing decision involving Nicolas Pepe.

During the tense knockout clash, many Ivory Coast supporters believed Pepe should have been awarded a penalty after an incident inside the box. However, despite the availability of the Video Assistant Referee system, match officials decided against pointing to the spot.

The decision sparked outrage among fans and former players, with Drogba leading the criticism shortly after the match.

The former Chelsea striker took to social media to express his anger over the incident and question the effectiveness of VAR.

“Disgraceful, that penalty not called on Nicolas Pepe, pfffffff, what’s the point of VAR?!??!” Drogba wrote.

Ivory Coast had entered the World Cup with hopes of making a deep run under coach Emerse Faé, and despite flashes of quality during the tournament, the Elephants were unable to progress beyond the Round of 32.

Drogba’s criticism also reignites the ongoing global debate surrounding VAR and its consistency in major competitions. While the technology was introduced to reduce refereeing errors, controversial decisions continue to divide opinion among players, coaches and supporters.

For Ivory Coast, attention will now shift towards rebuilding and preparing for future competitions after another disappointing World Cup exit. However, the debate surrounding the denied penalty and VAR’s role in the match is likely to remain a major talking point long after the tournament.