Black Stars Head Coach, Carlos Queiroz, has criticised VAR officials in the Ghana-England clash at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, claiming they ignored a penalty and red card incidents that could have altered the goalless draw game in Ghana’s favour.
Queiroz, in a post-match interview on Tuesday, June 23, at the Gillette Stadium, lauded his side’s defensive masterclass to hold the Three Lions, expressing frustration that the VAR officials went “on vacation” on key refereeing decisions in the second half.
“A clear penalty, red card. You have any doubts about that? You guys that saw the game, have any doubts about that? Or it’s only me that was in the game?” he quizzed.
“I’m not sure if VAR is still working in the World Cup. I have some doubts about that because another penalty that they need to give to Ghana, a clear penalty against England. VAR went for a coffee. It’s natural. I would like them to also take my coffees once in a while,” Queiroz said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
The incident in question occurred when substitute Prince Kwabena Adu broke through the England defence and appeared to be brought down by goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, with Queiroz insisting it was both a penalty and a red card offence.
The Black Stars limited the chances of the Three Lions with their 4-5-1 formation that prevented them from achieving a single target with their six shots in the first-half, a feat the coach highly extolled his side for.
“That was a tough game, no doubt. Very competitive, intense,” Queiroz said. “The first 45 minutes was England playing. They expressed their football. We put in place our strategic plan. It was to block them and frustrate them since the first minute until the end of the first half, which we did.”
He continued: “This showed that a football game is not only about tactics and techniques. It’s about bravery, courage, determination, intelligence. First half was about that. They’ve been better than us in terms of football. We’ve been better than them in terms of fighting spirit and determination.”
Despite saying he doesn’t like talking about individual players, Queiroz said Ghana’s goalkeeper, Benjamin Asare, did well in keeping a clean sheet. “Usually, I don’t like to talk about individual players. But I think he deserves applause. He was brilliant,” Queiroz said.
The Accra Hearts of Oak pair of hands was one of four changes to the Ghana lineup, with Thomas Partey returning from his visa-enforced absence, alongside Kwasi Sibo, and Inaki Williams.
Regarding Djed Spence’s refusal to shake hands with Thomas Partey, Queiroz said: “We refuse to be part of people that try to bring dust and politics inside the game. We fight to keep the front lines sacred.”
Ghana has managed four points from two games, and are well positioned to qualify from the group stages for the first time in 16 years. However, Queiroz insisted the job is far from over. “We did not win nothing yet. We’re just on our way to reach the main goal, which is to qualify the team for the second round,” he said.
“And I would like to remind everyone that we lost four players weeks before the World Cup. This effort that the team is doing is dedicated to these four players—starting members of the squad.”
