English: Croatia is a victim of VAR and one of the biggest losers of the World Cup

England were among the biggest losers of the 2026 World Cup, with Croatia also suffering heavily due to decisions made by the Video Assistant Referee system. Spain claimed victory in the final, held in New Jersey on Sunday, defeating Argentina 1–0 after extra time. The match was decided by a goal from Ferran Torres, who scored in the 73rd minute to give Spain the lead. Argentina’s defense struggled throughout, and their situation worsened when Enzo Fernández received his second yellow card in stoppage time, leading to his dismissal. Spain secured the win through disciplined defending and control of midfield play. The game ended in controversy, with Argentine captain Leandro Paredes, who had already been booked earlier in the tournament, physically attacking several Spanish players during their celebrations. This incident sparked outrage among fans and officials alike. Spain's victory was celebrated as a well-earned triumph, but the fallout from the final highlighted growing tensions around the role of technology in football decision-making. Among the biggest losers of the tournament was Brazil, whose campaign came to an end in the round of 16 against Norway. Neymar, one of the most talented players of his generation, was left heartbroken after the loss. He described the defeat as “almost impossible” and focused more on the altercation with Norwegian goalkeeper Orjan Nyland than on the game itself. Despite his individual brilliance, Neymar has faced recurring physical issues in recent years, which have limited his ability to perform consistently. While Lionel Messi continues to play at the highest level at age 39, Neymar, now 34, has never fully realized his potential despite his extraordinary gifts. Germany’s exit from the tournament in the Round of 16 further damaged the reputation of coach Julian Nagelsmann. His team’s performance was criticized for being slow and predictable, marking a sharp decline from their previous success. Although Nagelsmann is regarded as a tactical innovator, his results with both Bayern Munich and the national team have not matched this perception. Germany’s failure to advance past the Round of 16 was a major disappointment, especially given their historical dominance in international football. Croatia’s journey was marred by a controversial decision involving the VAR system. In a crucial match against Portugal, Croatia had a clear chance to force extra time, but a goal by Josko Gvardiol was disallowed due to a minor offside call detected by the video assistant referee. Coach Zlatko Dalić expressed deep frustration, calling the ruling “a tragedy for emotion and joy.” Croatian fans echoed similar sentiments, as did teams such as Germany, Egypt, and Norway, all of whom felt the impact of VAR decisions that they believed went against them. The Asian Football Confederation faced its worst performance in World Cup history. Only two Asian teams advanced beyond the group stage, and both were eliminated early in the knockout rounds. Across 29 matches played by Asian teams, they managed just three wins. This dismal showing raised questions about whether Asia was adequately represented in the expanded format of the tournament, which added more slots to accommodate growth in the region. Cristiano Ronaldo, at 41, struggled to maintain the form that once defined him. His performances were inconsistent, and he often appeared out of place on the pitch. Coach Roberto Martínez’s decision to prioritize Ronaldo over younger talents proved costly, as the team lacked cohesion and depth. Ronaldo’s presence became a burden rather than an asset, limiting the potential of a squad that could have achieved greater success. The 2026 World Cup will be remembered as a turning point for global football, with the integrity of the sport coming under increasing scrutiny. FIFA President Gianni Infantino allowed political influences to shape the tournament, while Donald Trump’s travel bans restricted access for many fans. Changes to rules were made primarily to accommodate television advertising, transforming the competition into a commercial product. As a result, the values of football, fair play, passion, and purity, are increasingly overshadowed by profit-driven motives.