Carlos Queiroz Criticizes VAR Following Ghana's Contentious Goalless Draw with England

Ghana’s Black Stars secured a hard-fought 0-0 draw against England in a tense 2026 FIFA World Cup Group L encounter on June 23, 2026, but the result has been heavily overshadowed by a controversial officiating decision. Despite a disciplined defensive performance that frustrated the Three Lions, the narrative after the final whistle focused on a late-game incident involving Prince Adu and England defender Ezri Konsa. The Black Stars were denied what many experts considered a clear penalty, sparking a heated debate about the consistency of officiating and the use of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in the tournament.

The flashpoint occurred in the closing stages of the match when Prince Adu drove into the penalty area and was brought down by a lunging challenge from Konsa. Replays showed that Konsa failed to make contact with the ball, instead catching Adu on the knee. Surprisingly, the match officials did not award a spot-kick, nor did the VAR room intervene to recommend a review. This decision drew sharp criticism from high-profile English pundits, including Wayne Rooney and Micah Richards, who argued that England were fortunate to escape without a penalty. Former assistant referee Darren Cann also weighed in, stating that the challenge was a clear foul and should have resulted in a penalty for the West African side.

Ghana manager Carlos Queiroz was vocal in his frustration during the post-match press conference, pointedly asking, "Is VAR still working at the World Cup?" Queiroz argued that the officials missed not only a clear penalty but also a potential red card incident that could have significantly altered the outcome of the game. Despite his anger at the officiating, the veteran coach praised his team’s fighting spirit and tactical discipline. He particularly highlighted the performance of goalkeeper Benjamin Asare, whose composure between the posts was vital in keeping a clean sheet against Thomas Tuchel’s England side.

While England fans expressed their own frustrations with their team's inability to break down the Ghanaian defense, the result leaves Group L finely balanced. For Ghana, the point is a significant achievement, though the sense of injustice remains palpable. The Black Stars now look ahead to their final group match against Croatia, where a victory will be essential to guarantee a spot in the knockout stages. Queiroz remains confident that his squad is on the right track, provided they can maintain the same level of dedication and execution shown against England.