The draw between Qatar and Switzerland at the 2026 World Cup was controversial as the European team was awarded a penalty despite midfielder Remo Freuler appearing to be offside during the build-up.
Remo Freuler appeared offside (Image: FIFA)
FIFA has confirmed that the technology that provides offside images for VAR has been disabled ahead of Switzerland’s controversial opening match against Qatar.
European team Briel Embolo converted the penalty after Remo Freuler was fouled by contact with Qatari goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada. But it looked as if he was offside.
The incident was checked by VAR, who ruled that Freuler was onside. FIFA did not provide a replay, but revealed that the technology that generates semi-automatic images was down.
“During the match between Qatar and Switzerland in the San Francisco Bay Area, a brief technical failure prevented the onside animated graphics from being generated before Switzerland were awarded a penalty in the 14th minute. The issue was quickly resolved,” FIFA said in a statement.
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“VAR’s workflow was unaffected by this issue and it followed its normal procedure for checking on-field decisions. The lines used by VAR to check the position of the players involved did not indicate an attacking player in an offside position in either of the two situations immediately preceding the penalty decision.”
This incident received widespread criticism. ITV pundit Gary Neville criticized FIFA for choosing not to clarify the controversy.
Speaking at half-time of Qatar’s draw with Switzerland, he said: “It’s offside. We all think it (it was offside) here. Everyone in the country thinks so. FIFA is the host broadcaster and they make semi-automatic decisions and show us.”
“Why don’t they show us? They did the same thing in the last tournament. To begin with, the fans are already distrustful of FIFA and technology. There are big questions about that, because until they prove me different, it’s offside in my eyes.”
The case was reviewed but ultimately a penalty was awarded (Image: Getty Images)
The former Manchester United defender added: “It’s like a dictatorship. To be honest, this is like a dictatorship. The idea that we keep this evidence internally and don’t show it to the fans of the countries participating in the tournament is just ridiculous.”
“Honestly, don’t show me the evidence of offside. I want you to prove it’s offside. Show me it right away. Why aren’t you being transparent?”
Colleague Ian Wright also criticized the team for not sharing the replay, saying: “If it’s a semi-automatic line, why didn’t we see it? We don’t really need to see it. We watch it every week in the Premier League and he looks offside, which I don’t understand. They’re doing what they want. They’re sitting in their offices. This is a scandal.”
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