Referee expert Urs Meier sharply criticized the inconsistent foul scoring at the 2026 World Cup and highlighted clear gaps in the referees' decision-making. While the sending off of Folarin Balogun in the round of 16 is considered correct, Meier misses a clear line when it comes to Lionel Messi's unpunished foul in the group stage. Meier, who is considered one of the most experienced referee analysts, sees the diverging decisions as a structural problem in the tournament.
Balogun was shown a red card in the round of 16 against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which Meier sees as a logical implementation of the rules. The foul that led to the expulsion was clear and fit with the referees' previous penalty practice at this tournament. According to Meier, Balogun's foul was within the scope of the "clear sight" rule, which allows for a clear and immediate red card - a standard that has been consistently applied throughout this tournament.
FIFA had previously emphasized in internal guidelines that serious fouls with a high potential for danger should be punished consistently, regardless of the player's status. In contrast, a similarly serious foul by Lionel Messi in the group stage had no consequences. Meier refers to an incident in the game against a South American team in which Messi caused a clear danger by kicking an opponent in the penalty area.
However, the referees only saw yellow or ignored the foul completely. This unequal treatment raises questions about the objectivity of the game management and causes resentment among teams and fans alike. Meier emphasizes that such decisions often have a significant impact on the course of the tournament and can shape players' careers.
His statements give new fuel to the debate about subjective referee decisions and show the need for a uniform interpretation. The discrepancy between Balogun's sending off and Messi's unpunished foul reveals another problem: the different treatment of players of different levels of fame. While Balogun, as a relatively unknown striker, received an immediate red card, Messi, as a global superstar, enjoyed a much milder assessment.
This practice not only undermines the credibility of the tournament, but also reinforces the impression that referees are reluctant to take decisive action when it comes to prominent players. Meier points to historical examples from previous World Cups in which similar unequal treatment led to massive criticism - such as Diego Maradona's unpunished foul against England in 1986. “With the Messi foul going unpunished, we left the line,” Blick Sport quoted him as saying.
Meier points out that FIFA has increasingly used VAR in recent years to objectify decisions. But especially with prominent players like Messi, the inhibition threshold for clear punishment seems to be higher. This leads to a double standard that undermines the credibility of the tournament.
Meier therefore not only calls for a clear line, but also transparent communication as to why certain fouls are punished and others are not. What's next? Meier is calling for a clear line on foul assessments for the upcoming games of the 2026 World Cup.
FIFA must make improvements here in order to maintain the credibility of the tournament. The criticism could put pressure on the referee committee to set more uniform standards and ensure that similar fouls are punished similarly. If current practice does not change, the debate over refereeing decisions threatens to overshadow the tournament - similar to previous World Cups.
The discussion about foul scoring also raises fundamental questions about the role of referees in modern major tournaments. Meier argues that increasing medialization and the presence of social media mean that every decision is immediately analyzed and questioned. This increases the pressure on the game managers, but at the same time the necessary consistency is often missing to enforce such decisions even against superstars.
FIFA is faced with the challenge of finding a balance between fairness and avoiding scandals - a balancing act that has led to controversy in the past. “If we want the 2026 World Cup to be considered fair and transparent, we have to act now,” said Meier. ” Urs Meier's criticism hits a sore spot in modern football: the growing gap between media expectations and sporting reality.
While FIFA is trying to technically objectify decisions with VAR, the human component of the referees remains a central factor - and therefore susceptible to prejudices and external influences. Meier shows that although the referees at the 2026 World Cup are formally correct, they often appear inconsistent in the public's perception. This discrepancy arises not least due to the media treatment, which immediately brings individual decisions into focus and contextualizes them with historical comparisons.
FIFA is therefore faced with the task of not only communicating the rules more clearly, but also better preparing referees for the challenges of modern tournament management - a task that becomes even more urgent given the global reach of the 2026 World Cup. Read at Blick Sport
Why this matters
Meier's criticism underlines the debate about subjective referee decisions at major tournaments, which can often determine the course of the tournament and players' careers. Inconsistent foul scoring not only undermines competition credibility, but directly impacts results and reputations. If a dismissal for Balogun is considered correct, but a similar offense for Messi is ignored, a feeling of arbitrariness arises. This gives the debate about clear guidelines for foul decisions new urgency and challenges those responsible to define standards that apply equally to all teams. At the same time, the discussion shows how much modern tournaments depend on public perception - and how quickly individual decisions can become a symbol of injustice. Meier's criticism makes it clear that FIFA must act here in order not to permanently damage trust in the game management.
Frequently asked
Why does Urs Meier criticize the foul rating at the 2026 World Cup?
Meier sees an inconsistent line when it comes to punishing fouls. While the sending off of Folarin Balogun in the round of 16 is considered correct, a similarly serious foul by Lionel Messi in the group stage was not punished.
Which foul by Lionel Messi went unpunished?
Meier is referring to an unpunished foul by Messi during the group stage of the 2026 World Cup, in which he caused a clear danger by kicking an opponent in the penalty area. However, the referees only saw yellow or ignored the foul completely.
Was the sending off of Folarin Balogun justified?
Yes, according to Meier, the sending off of Balogun in the round of 16 against Bosnia and Herzegovina was correct. From his point of view, the decision corresponded to the rules and the prevailing line of the referees at this tournament.
What are the consequences of inconsistent foul scoring?
It undermines the credibility of the competition and can influence the course of the tournament and player careers. Subjective decisions often lead to controversy and doubts about the fairness of the tournament, which Meier sharply criticizes.
How is VAR use related to Meier's criticism?
Meier points out that FIFA is increasingly relying on VAR to objectify decisions. But especially with prominent players like Messi, the inhibition threshold for clear punishment seems to be higher - a double standard that undermines the credibility of the tournament.
What exactly is Meier demanding from FIFA?
Meier calls for a clear line in foul evaluations, more uniform standards and transparent communication about why certain fouls are punished and others are not. He also demands improvements for the upcoming games of the 2026 World Cup.
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