Tuchel’s Criticism Falls Flat
Former referee Chris Foy has robustly defended the standard of officiating at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting that, despite occasional errors, officials have got most decisions right. His comments come after England manager Thomas Tuchel lambasted the refereeing following his side’s last-16 win over Mexico, branding it “unreliable, erratic and not good enough.”
“The referees have generally been OK, with some positive decisions made, but there have also been occasions when they have not got things right. Like everyone, referees cannot be perfect.”
Foy, writing in his Guardian column, suggested Tuchel’s outburst was a case of reverse psychology, aimed at influencing future appointments rather than reflecting reality. The former Premier League official pointed to a tournament that, in his view, has been largely well-handled, with VAR providing crucial support on the biggest calls.
Decisions Under the Microscope: Egypt vs. Argentina
One flashpoint that drew fierce criticism was the round-of-16 clash between Egypt and Argentina. Egypt were left feeling aggrieved after having a goal disallowed and then seeing Argentina’s winner stand. Foy, however, backed both decisions, explaining that a foul by Marwan Attia on Lisandro Martinez preceded the disallowed goal. Attia clearly pulled Martinez’s shirt and caught him with his studs, giving the VAR no choice but to intervene.
“There is no time limit or ceiling on the number of passes to be taken into account. The foul occurred in the attacking possession phase, and once the officials reviewed it, disallowing the goal was the only correct outcome.”
He added that Argentina’s winner was also legitimate, with no infringement in the build-up. Foy emphasised that such fine margins are exactly what VAR was introduced to adjudicate, and in this instance, it worked as intended.
VAR and the Push for Perfection
The World Cup has once again placed the discourse around refereeing at centre stage. While many fans and pundits continue to question the consistency of VAR, Foy believes the technology has been a net positive in this tournament. He acknowledged that referees cannot achieve perfection, but argued that the overall officiating standard has been high, with fewer glaring errors than in previous editions.
Foy also cautioned against the increasingly vocal criticism from high-profile figures, suggesting that such commentary can undermine confidence in the system. With the stakes higher than ever, the pressure on officials is immense, but the former referee insists the current crop is handling it admirably.
Trump’s Unwelcome Input
In a surprising twist, the debate around World Cup refereeing has even drawn comment from former US President Donald Trump. Trump took to social media to criticise a decision in a recent match, adding his voice to a growing chorus of dissent. Foy was unmoved by the political heavyweight’s intervention, dismissing external noise as unhelpful and unnecessary.
He made clear that the focus should remain on the players and the football, not on the opinions of those outside the game’s operational core. The column struck a defiant tone, insisting that the refereeing fraternity will continue to strive for excellence without being swayed by ill-informed remarks from the sidelines.
Key Takeaways
- Former referee Chris Foy has defended the officiating at the 2026 World Cup, saying overall standards have been good.
- Thomas Tuchel’s criticism after England’s win over Mexico was labelled as reverse psychology, not a fair reflection.
- Foy explained why the disallowed Egypt goal and Argentina’s winner in their round-of-16 tie were both correct decisions.
- VAR has been effective and necessary, even if it cannot eliminate all errors.
- Comments from figures like Donald Trump are seen as unhelpful distractions.
Quick Facts
Competition: 2026 FIFA World Cup
Key Match: Argentina vs. Egypt (Round of 16)
Incident: Marwan Attia foul on Lisandro Martinez in the lead-up to a disallowed Egypt goal
VAR Role: Recommended review, leading to the correct decision
Critics: Thomas Tuchel (England manager), Donald Trump (former US President)
Columnist: Chris Foy, former Premier League referee, writing in The Guardian