World Cup 2026: England penalty disallowed after VAR review

World Cup 2026: England penalty disallowed after VAR review

According to Bbc.

Context

Djed Spence, England defender, was the protagonist of the controversy when he was considered responsible for the contact that resulted in the penalty being cancelled. His performance in the game could be crucial to England's performance at the 2026 World Cup, especially in a tournament where every decision can have a significant impact on the season and the team's future.

Why this matters

The annulment of the penalty for England during the 2026 World Cup illustrates the growing influence of VAR in decisions in important matches. This technology, although controversial, has the potential to change the course of games and impact the trajectory of teams in the tournament. For England, the decision was an emotional blow, while Norway breathed a sigh of relief, maintaining their chances of advancing.

Main conclusions

• World Cup 2026: England penalty disallowed after VAR review.
• England saw their penalty disallowed following a VAR review, which found Djed Spence responsible for the contact with Norway's Oscar Bobb.
• Djed Spence remains central to England's plans.

The match between England and Norway at the 2026 World Cup brought intense emotions to fans, especially with a controversial decision involving VAR. In the first half of extra time, England had the chance to open the scoring with a penalty, but the joy was short-lived. After a thorough review, the referee decided to cancel the penalty, claiming that Djed Spence, an English defender, was the one who initiated contact with Oscar Bobb, a player from Norway. This type of review is a clear example of how VAR has become crucial in decisions during World Cup games. Technology, which was introduced to help referees make more accurate decisions, can create tense situations, like the one that occurred in Miami. The players, the coaching staff and the fans were in a moment of expectation while the referee consulted the video center, awaiting the final decision. The match was quite balanced, with both teams looking for victory and creating good opportunities. The annulment of the penalty was a blow to the English, who hoped to take advantage of the chance to gain an advantage in the decisive duel. On the other hand, Norway saw the cancellation as a relief, maintaining their hopes of advancing in the tournament. In addition to the technical and tactical aspect involving the use of VAR, this situation also highlights the pressure that referees face during major competitions such as the World Cup. Decisions are always analyzed and debated, and the expectations surrounding them only increase the weight of each choice made on the field. English fans, who are hoping for a good campaign in the World Cup, expressed their frustrations on social media, discussing the effectiveness of VAR and its influence on games. The situation of the disallowed penalty will certainly be one of the many topics that will dominate conversations about the tournament. With the match still open and the pressure increasing, both teamscontinue to fight for a place in the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup. As always, the tournament promises to be full of surprises, emotions and, of course, controversial decisions, which are the hallmark of competitions of this magnitude.

What happens next

With the match evenly matched, both teams will continue to fight for a crucial victory in the 2026 World Cup. England will need to mentally recover from the penalty cancellation and find new ways to put pressure on the Norwegian defense. Norway, after the VAR decision, will seek to take advantage of the moment and consolidate its position in the tournament.