New rules, controversial decisions: After the first group game day of the 2026 World Cup, ARD referee expert Lutz Wagner draws an interim conclusion for the sports show.
Shortly before the end of the first matchday of the group stage, two absolute superstars once again caused discussion: In the game between France and Senegal, Kylian Mbappé was brought down by Sadio Mané in the penalty area with a tackle.
The referee Alireza Faghani from Iran initially decided to continue play before the video referee (VAR) called in to check a possible penalty. Faghani himself looked at the images on the monitor that showed Mané touching him, but stuck to his original assessment. There was no penalty for the French and Mbappé.
Lutz Wagner: “Penalty would have been the right decision”
For ARD referee expert Lutz Wagner, it was a bad decision. “The contact was there. Mbappé stumbles when his opponent touches him and then falls. Therefore a penalty would have been the correct decision.”Wagner analyzed in an interview with Sportschau.
The scene that occurred when the score was 0-0 did not have a decisive influence on the game. A little later Mbappé scored, who later also scored a brace. The “Équipe Tricolore” ultimately won 3-1 in their opening match.
Really no red card for Lionel Messi?
A controversial decision in the game between Argentina and Algeria had significantly more influence. In the 31st minute, Lionel Messi kicked his opponent Aissa Mandi from behind in the calf and Achilles tendon. The Polish referee Szymon Marciniak left it at a warning and the VAR did not intervene. Messi, who had previously scored to make it 1-0, was allowed to stay on the field and later scored two more goals to make it 3-0 for Argentina.
Wagner is also critical of this decision. “Messi’s foul doesn’t look as serious in normal sequence as it does in slow motion. But it becomes clear there: red would have been the better decision because two out of three criteria are met. Firstly, the ball was no longer playable. And secondly, the hit pattern – above the ankle with the sole – speaks for a red card.”said the referee expert. Only the third criterion was not met because Messi did not play at high speed or with pressure and probably did not intentionally foul.
The rule changes introduced for the 2026 World Cup are also causing discussion. FIFA wants to increase the net playing time with a five-second countdown. This rule applies when a goalkeeper holds the ball in his hand for too long, but also during throw-ins and goal kicks. Wagner’s interim conclusion on this is positive. “The players pay a lot of attention to this, which is why this hasn’t been sanctioned yet.”said the former referee.
Wagner: Players have internalized new rules
Wagner also welcomes two other innovations: The teams have to hurry up when making substitutions, otherwise they will be penalized with a one-minute deficit. And that a player who needs treatment on the field must then leave the field and only be allowed to return after one minute. “These rules increase the net playing time. This is in the interest of the game and the fans”said Wagner, whose impression was that the players had internalized the new rules well.
The fact that the rest periods are also becoming shorter for the referees is not a big problem for Wagner: “The referees have also become fitter. They are adapting to the changed requirements.” However, the ex-referee sees a different problem: “However, I definitely see difficulties at the grassroots level, as the referee, who is often alone or with only three people, is overburdened with more and more administrative tasks, thereby jeopardizing concentration on the essentials.”
“Otherwise the whole thing will be on shaky ground”
The following rule is also new: Anyone who covers their mouth with their hand or jersey during a conflict can be punished with a red card if this conceals possible insults or discriminatory statements. “The players do it anyway. It will only be sanctioned if it happens in a confrontational manner. So the decision rests with the referee.”said Wagner. The sports show expert definitely sees the danger of misinterpretation: “You have to be sure, otherwise the whole thing is on shaky ground.”
The fact that the VAR can now draw attention to incorrectly given corners and can no longer only check straight red cards, but also the second yellow card for yellow-red, are positive changes for Wagner. “The check of the second yellow card in particular is to be welcomed because it represents yellow-red and therefore a decisive intervention in the game.”said Wagner. He believes the corner kick rule is valid “well, you don’t really feel them”. Although the VAR is gaining more and more powers, for Wagner it remains “just a helper” for the referees.
Positive conclusion of the first Group game days
Overall, Wagner draws a positive conclusion from the first group game day. “There have been no major outliers up or down so far”he judged. “But you can feel the inexperience of some referees. For example in their running routes, like referee Jalal Jayed from Morocco, who officiated the German game against Curacao. Or in how they deal with the players.”
Overall, everything is in line. “The start was successful”said Wagner, who revealed what he is particularly looking forward to on the second day of the group match: the World Cup debut of Felix Zwayer, the only German referee at the 2026 World Cup. The Berliner will referee the USA’s duel against Australia (Friday, 9 p.m., live on ARD as well as in the live stream and audio stream on sportschau.de).