FIFA's new law changes before the 2026 World Cup led to Norway being denied a crucial goal in their quarter-final clash with England. The game was poised at 1-1 when Torbjorn Heggem knocked the ball in from a corner, but the VAR team intervened to chalk off the goal.
Haaland's Foul Proves Costly
Erling Haaland was judged to have bundled over Elliot Anderson before the ball was whipped into the box, sparking a let-off for England. Previously, IFAB laws would have let the strike stand as the foul occurred before the ball was returned into play. However, lawmakers released a new set of clarifications to the rule book aimed at avoiding tussling at corners.
The clarification states: "The IFAB has approved a clarification to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) protocol for use at the 2026 FIFA World Cup regarding clear offences committed by the attacking team before the ball is in play at a corner kick or free kick that have a direct impact on a goal, penalty kick, or disciplinary sanction. If the offence meets the criteria set out in the clarification, the VAR will recommend an on-field review, following which, if the referee determines that an offence occurred before the ball was in play, the appropriate disciplinary action will be taken and the corner kick or free kick will be retaken."
Norway Forced to Retake Corner
When the goal was ruled out, Norway were given another crack at the corner, despite bemused protests from England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. Speaking to BBC 5 Live, former England international Paul Robinson branded the foul "silly" by the Manchester City star. He said: "I don't know why he did that, Erling Haaland, the way the goal evolved. He wasn't involved in any shape or form. Haaland has caused the goal to be disallowed for a silly foul. He had no reason to foul Elliot Andersen, he is the bigger man. He has the beating of him in aerial sense. He has cost his team there, Haaland."
Clarification to Be Reviewed After World Cup
The clarification will be reviewed following the 2026 FIFA World Cup before any decision on its potential broader application is made. The incident has sparked debate about the impact of the new rule on the flow of the game and the role of VAR in disallowing goals for pre-play offences.
