Iran Denied Late Winner After Controversial VAR Call Against Egypt

Iran thought it had beaten Egypt with a stoppage-time goal in the 93rd minute on Saturday morning, June 27, 2026, only for VAR to overturn the goal in a decision that the article describes as a major and hard-to-believe error. The disallowed score sent Egypt through and left Iran facing a realistic chance of being eliminated from the World Cup.

The ruling was reportedly based on an offside call against Mehdi Taremi, but the article says Ahmed Fattouh, who had broken the line inside the six-yard box, was simply not checked. Because of that, critics said, the review missed a key player and effectively erased Iran’s goal.

Iran had already complained about perceived discrimination from authorities over entry into the United States. Fans reacted angrily, asking, “How did this happen?” and saying, “They simply erased a player. One of the biggest VAR mistakes ever. Iran has never advanced from the World Cup group stage.” Athletik reported that Iranian players were crying and in complete shock, saying, “How can something like this happen?”

Iran still has a path to the next round, because it currently leads three teams that have finished playing. It will be eliminated only if Congo, Croatia and Algeria end with a better goal difference and more than three points. Had the goal stood, both Iran and Egypt would have advanced.