FIFA Confirms Sanction on Players and Coaches Criticising Referees After World Cup 2026

FIFA is set to hold off on any disciplinary action against players and coaches accused of bringing the game into disrepute for now, but they are set to take action after the World Cup 2026.

A report from The Athletic has said that FIFA will review referees’ reports and other relevant factors before deciding on any post-tournament sanctions. This approach mirrors the governing body’s handling of similar issues following the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where actions against member associations were taken only after the event.

Tuchel’s Sharp Criticism After England’s Last-16 Win

Following England’s hard-fought victory over Mexico in the round of 16 — a match that saw defender Jarell Quansah sent off — Thomas Tuchel did not hold back in his assessment of referee Alireza Faghani’s performance.

“It’s not good enough,” Tuchel said of the Australian’s officiating. “He (the referee) can send any team out in any moment. It’s just not good enough. It’s just erratic, it’s just unreliable in matches.

“Now, we have two fourth officials who just scream at you if you put one foot out of a coaching zone. It’s just not good enough," he said.

Tuchel’s frustrations extended beyond individual calls, highlighting broader concerns about consistency in decision-making and the pressure placed on teams.

Egypt’s Outrage Following Defeat to Argentina

The most vehement criticism emerged after Egypt’s dramatic round-of-16 loss to Argentina, where French referee Francois Letexier came under fire. Coach Hossam Hassan suggested external influences had played a role.

“We were the best in everything, but the result was … there were factors influencing it, not external, but internal on the pitch, and external before the match,” Hossam said after the game.

“It is clear that the pressure put on the referee before the match by the Argentine side succeeded, because they objected to the referee, bringing up France, and the France national team. There seems to have been pressure on the Argentine side on the referee that has brought about this outcome," he added.

In additional comments, Ziko described the refereeing as “blatant injustice,” adding that the official “wasted all of our efforts with his decisions” and that the tournament felt “rigged” in Argentina’s favour. Hassan later vowed not to watch any more matches, citing a lack of justice and fairness.

Akanji and Switzerland’s Complaints

Manuel Akanji, the former Manchester City defender, also targeted the officiating after Switzerland’s quarter-final defeat to Argentina.

“When you have the referee against you, it becomes difficult. Every little thing was called against us. Every dive and every foul by the Argentinians went unpunished," Akanji said.

Additional Voices of Dissent

Other notable criticisms have surfaced during the tournament. Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann slammed a VAR decision that disallowed Jonathan Tah’s apparent extra-time goal against Paraguay in the round of 32, calling it “a complete joke” despite his side’s eventual penalty shootout exit.

Switzerland’s Remo Freuler labelled a VAR-influenced red card to Breel Embolo a “disaster,” while captain Granit Xhaka warned that such video reviews could “kill” a game.

England midfielder Jude Bellingham, after the Mexico match, opted for restraint: “I will not speak about the referee because I want to play in the next match.”

Apart from that, the Iran players have repeatedly criticized FIFA over the biased treatement they received in USA during the course of the World Cup.

In domestic leagues like the Premier League, similar public comments often result in swift fines or bans. However, FIFA has chosen to defer any action in this high-stakes global showcase, allowing the tournament to proceed without immediate off-field distractions for the critics. Post-tournament reviews based on official reports are expected to determine the outcomes.