After Egypt vs Argentina Controversy.. FIFA Keeps VAR Referee in 2026 World Cup Amid Major Officiating Decisions
Despite the major controversy surrounding the Egypt vs Argentina Round of 16 match at the 2026 World Cup, FIFA decided to keep French VAR referee Jerome Brisard in the tournament, while his compatriot Francois Letexier was removed due to France’s semifinal qualification
FIFA Removes Letexier While Keeping VAR Referee After Egypt vs Argentina Clash 🔥
The FIFA refereeing department witnessed new developments regarding the officiating teams at the 2026 World Cup after the organization decided to remove French referee Francois Letexier from handling any remaining matches in the tournament.
The decision came because France reached the World Cup semifinal stage, where they will face Spain, preventing the French referee from continuing according to tournament regulations designed to maintain complete neutrality.
Letexier previously officiated the Egypt vs Argentina Round of 16 match, which witnessed major controversy due to several refereeing decisions that caused widespread debate and led the Egyptian Football Association to submit an official complaint to FIFA. ⚽📢
Despite the controversy surrounding the match, FIFA did not suspend or remove Letexier because of his performance, as his tournament exit came only because his national team continued competing for the World Cup title.
⭐ Jerome Brisard Remains Despite Egypt vs Argentina Controversy
Meanwhile, FIFA’s referee list confirmed that French VAR official Jerome Brisard remains part of the officiating teams involved in the final stages of the 2026 World Cup.
Brisard attracted attention during the Egypt vs Argentina Round of 16 match after his intervention in one of the refereeing situations, which sparked discussions among fans and observers.
Despite criticism following the match, the French VAR referee maintained his position among the officials selected for the advanced rounds of the tournament.
FIFA relies heavily on technical evaluations when making refereeing decisions, meaning choices are not based only on public reactions but also on detailed reviews of performances and match incidents. 🔥
🏆 Brisard Played Important Role in England vs Norway Match
FIFA continued using Jerome Brisard’s services during the tournament, as he worked alongside fellow French referee Clement Turpin during the England vs Norway match.
The officiating team successfully corrected a controversial decision during the game after VAR intervention canceled an incorrect penalty decision during extra time.
Brisard is considered one of the experienced VAR officials, which encouraged FIFA to keep him among the selected referees for the decisive stages of the World Cup.
The decision confirms FIFA’s focus on technical performance rather than pressure or criticism related to specific match incidents. ⚽⭐
📢 Carlos Del Cerro Continues Among VAR Officials
The referee list also included Spanish official Carlos Del Cerro, who remains one of the possible candidates to participate in the semifinal matches.
Del Cerro could be selected to work in the VAR room during the highly anticipated Argentina vs England semifinal, one of the biggest matches of the tournament.
The Spanish referee has extensive experience in major games, making him one of FIFA’s trusted officials during the final stages of competitions.
🔥 Refereeing Decisions Under Global Attention at World Cup Ending
As the 2026 World Cup reaches its final stages, refereeing decisions remain under global attention due to the importance of every match and the race for the biggest trophy in football.
FIFA’s refereeing committee aims to select the best available officials for the remaining matches while ensuring maximum levels of fairness and transparency.
Between Letexier’s removal due to France’s participation and the continued presence of Brisard and Carlos Del Cerro, refereeing remains one of the most discussed topics of the current World Cup edition.
Football fans around the world are now waiting for the semifinal clashes to discover the finalists, while closely following every possible refereeing decision that could influence the tournament’s outcome. 🏆🔥
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