Expert insight: World Cup video review controversies show why human referees still matter
Western Olympic-studies researchers use two contested 2026 World Cup video reviews to argue that referees should be clear about where a reviewable incident begins and ends.
Two contested decisions at the 2026 World Cup led Angela Schneider, director of Western’s International Centre for Olympic Studies, and research associate Guanpeng Zhou to ask how far back a video review should reach. Their commentary first ran in The Conversation and is republished by Western News.
In the round of 16, a review cancelled Egypt’s second goal against Argentina over a foot-stepping incident 17 seconds earlier and more than 80 metres away. Argentina won 3-2. In the quarterfinal, Norway’s goal against England was cancelled after a review of Erling Haaland pushing Elliot Anderson as a corner was taken. Norway lost 2-1 after extra time.
The authors do not say either call was wrong. They say the hard part is defining the incident under review. They cite a study of 88 elite referees from five countries that found slow motion produced more severe sanctions than normal speed.
They propose that the referee’s on-field call set what gets reviewed, and that FIFA publish post-match notes explaining the timing and threshold of consequential reviews. They also suggest judging intensity at normal speed.
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