Queiroz: "VAR went for a coffee, England were lucky"

After Ghana drew 0-0 with England in Group L of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, head coach Carlos Queiroz took aim at VAR with an ironic tone at the post-match press conference. In the game in Foxborough, where Ghana stopped England with a disciplined defence, the experienced coach sharply criticised the refereeing over a penalty that was not given.

The 73-year-old Portuguese coach turned to a FIFA official at the press conference and made ironic remarks: "I'm not sure VAR is still working at the World Cup. Do we still have VAR? Is it working? I have some doubts about that, because another clear penalty against England that should have been given to Ghana was missed." The incident Queiroz pointed to was Ezri Konsa's challenge on substitute Prince Adu, for which no penalty was awarded.

Queiroz continued with a pointed analogy: "We had our chances to the point that they're lucky. They're very lucky. Once again, VAR went for a coffee. It's natural, I would also like to take my coffees once in a while; but it was a clear penalty and a red card. Do you have any doubts about that? You who watched the game, do you have doubts, or is it only me who was in the game?" The stats also showed England dominating the game; England, with 79% possession, reached the highest figure for a team that failed to score in a World Cup match in the last 60 years.

At the end of the press conference, Queiroz apologised for his ironic tone: "I'm sorry for my sarcasm, but if I say these kinds of things seriously, they punish me." The Portuguese coach, despite his criticism, said he was proud of his team's fight and praised England, saying: "In my humble opinion, England can be a candidate to win the World Cup. I cannot play samba when they play rock and roll; when you have to defend, you defend, and that's the way to win." After the match, both teams prepare for their final games in Group L.

Image: A Bola