The article discusses growing concerns about FIFA's credibility amid controversies surrounding officiating standards and VAR decisions at the 2026 World Cup.

While debates about Lionel Messi's potential victory persist, the focus shifts to systemic issues in refereeing consistency and technology interpretation.

Examples include Algeria defender Aissa Mandi's injury incident involving Messi, Ghana vs England's disputed penalty decision, Croatia's disallowed equalizer against Portugal, and Argentina's controversial moments against Egypt.The Folarin Balogun suspension saga further highlights inconsistent disciplinary enforcement.

While individual decisions may be explained by referee interpretations, the accumulation of controversies has fueled frustration and conspiracy theories.FIFA faces criticism for failing to address these issues transparently, with fans demanding consistency, fairness, and clear explanations.

The article argues that a World Cup should be decided by player performance and tactics, not external factors, urging FIFA to prioritize restoring confidence in officiating to protect the tournament's reputation.