Turkey’s World Cup 2026 campaign ended with a 1-0 loss to Paraguay, and the country has not accepted the result quietly. According to reports in Turkey, the Turkish Football Federation asked FIFA to order a replay after an unusual incident in which a Paraguayan player picked up the referee’s watch from the pitch after it fell and then wore it on his wrist during the match.
Turkish officials argued that the episode undermined the referee’s authority and could have affected his ability to manage the game properly. They said the rules allow a replay in rare cases when the officiating team’s ability to perform its duties is compromised.
FIFA rejected the request, saying that while some of the arguments had merit, the strict conditions for a replay were not met. The governing body said the referee was not materially prevented from handling the match, in part because he had a spare watch that allowed him to continue functioning normally.
The incident has added to wider disputes over refereeing decisions at World Cup 2026 and has fueled debate about when FIFA should intervene and consider a rematch. Despite the official refusal, the matter appears likely to remain a talking point in Turkey after its painful elimination.
