Keith Hackett Slams 2026 World Cup VAR Errors at 48-Team Tournament

1 articles · Updated · Flashscore.com · Jun 30

Keith Hackett said VAR has fallen below World Cup standards, citing missed interventions on Uruguay’s unawarded penalty and Germany’s goal that he believes should have been disallowed for a foul.
Pierluigi Collina’s pre-tournament guidance may have set the bar for VAR intervention too high, Hackett said, leaving on-field referees exposed when clear and obvious errors were not corrected.
New York New Jersey Stadium also drew criticism after Hackett said the final venue’s surface produced an uneven bounce and fell short of the standard expected at the tournament.
FIFA’s new flow measures — including 5-second throw-in and goal-kick countdowns, 10-second substitution exits and 1-minute off-field injury rules — were welcomed, but Hackett said water breaks still disrupt matches too much.
The former PGMOL chief added that the expanded 48-team format has encouraged defensive play, contributing to a run of less entertaining games across the 2026 tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.