The 2026 World Cup has seen an unprecedented level of scrutiny on its instant replay system, VAR, particularly due to controversial decisions made with "Connected Ball Technology" (CBT). A prime example cited is Croatia's elimination after their equalizer against Portugal was disallowed in the Round of 16. Josko Gvardiol's goal was overturned because the CBT, housed within the Adidas Trionda ball, detected a "slight touch" from Igor Mantanovic, potentially just his hair, in the buildup, rendering him offside. This touch was deemed imperceptible to the human eye, leading critics to argue that technology is enforcing rules "beyond the limits of human perception" and inventing offside calls no one could see.
FIFA defended the decision, explaining that "sensors housed within the Trionda ball are capable of determining any slight contact, displayed to viewers in the broadcast as a 'heartbeat graphic,' and allowing officials an unprecedented level of data to make fast, accurate decisions." However, the initial explanation from FIFA was criticized for its lack of transparency, as it only showed Mantanovic's touch, not a simultaneous touch from Portugal's Renato Veiga, which was later revealed. This piecemeal approach to evidence fueled suspicion among fans and pundits, suggesting a trust issue with how VAR decisions are communicated. Croatia's manager, Zlatiko Dalic, expressed frustration, stating, "All these decisions take the joy out of football."
While supporters of the system, like Portugal's manager Roberto Martínez, highlight the objective nature of the chip's data, critics argue that such precision, when applied to touches that don't alter the ball's trajectory or are imperceptible, detracts from the emotional and human element of the game. The article suggests that while technology has been beneficial in correcting obvious errors like goal-line decisions, the current application of VAR, especially with CBT, is "killing the joy" of the World Cup by prioritizing absolute technical correctness over the spirit of the game and the emotional experience of fans.
