Former Bafana Bafana striker Benni McCarthy and fellow legend Quinton Fortune have publicly criticized the inconsistent application of VAR (Video Assistant Referee) decisions during the Egypt vs Argentina Last 16 clash at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

McCarthy highlighted how the referee, Francois Letexier, overturned Egypt's second goal following a VAR review, despite the tackle occurring before the counter-attack that led to the goal.He argued that the same incident was treated differently when Argentina scored, with the goal being accepted without VAR intervention.

McCarthy expressed frustration that Argentina players pressured the referee to check VAR for a non-foul, while Egypt's goal was scrutinized for angles.Fortune echoed these concerns, calling the situation an 'embarrassment to the game' and questioning the integrity of the process.Both players emphasized that while they support the best team winning, the manner in which decisions were made undermined fair play.

Their comments have sparked broader discussions about VAR's role in high-stakes matches and the need for consistent application of the technology.The incident has also raised questions about the influence of player pressure on referees and the transparency of VAR reviews.