The Biggest FIFA World Cup Controversies
By
Will Brown
Contributor Updated: 18 January 2025
Will Brown Contributor
William Brown is a Content Writer with strong expertise in US and global gambling industry trends. Having covered the local sports betting market since the repeal of PASPA in 2018, William approaches his gambling guides with passion and diligence. He is a keen player of online slots, blackjack, and a regular sports bettor.
Controversial World Cup Moments
There is perhaps no other sporting event in the world that captivates the global imagination as the soccer World Cup. The outcomes of the game can have a major effect on the spirits of entire countries for better or for worse, so when scandals emerge, tensions can run high. In this guide to the biggest FIFA World Cup controversies in history, we’ve explored the most memorable events, whether they be shocking upsets, accusations of cheating, or fixed results.
Intro to the Biggest FIFA World Cup Scandals
For many of our readers in the US, the sheer scale of the FIFA World Cup may not be completely realized. That’s why we’ve kicked off this guide by exploring the popularity of the tournament and the impact of World Cup controversies.
From there, we’ve kicked off this ranked list of the biggest scandals in the tournament’s history. While you may be unfamiliar with some of these, events such as Maradona’s Hand of God goal have become iconic well outside of soccer circles. If you’re interested in sports history, we suggest you read them all.
- The Impact of World Cup Controversies
- 10. Šimunić’s Yellow Cards
- 9. Suarez’s Handball
- 8. Disgrace of Gijon
- 7. Schumacher’s Attack
- 6. Chile vs. Brazil
- 5. Zinedine Zidane’s Headbutt
- 4. Argentina’s Win
- 3. South Korea’s Run
- 2. The Ghost Goal
- 1. The Hand of God
The Impact of World Cup Controversies
The FIFA World Cup is held every four years, with the first played in Uruguay in 1930 and the next to be co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico in 2026. The first tournament hosted only 13 games, growing over 95 years to include 48 teams around the world.
Because of its global reach, World Cup games are estimated to be watched by over 5 billion people, meaning more than half of the world’s population tunes in. The prestige of the title is sought after by every national soccer team in the world and their loyal fans, so if FIFA World Cup scandals occur, there can be immense backlash in the sporting world and society.
Whether they’re poor decisions from referees, cheating scandals, serious injuries, or organizational conspiracies, these controversies risk the integrity of the competition. The rise of sports betting also makes these accusations more consequential, which has prompted FIFA to thwart upsets at all costs to avoid damaging relationships with soccer sportsbooks in the US. The following events have gone down in soccer history for all the wrong reasons.
10. Three Yellow Cards to Šimunić, 2006
This first of our FIFA World Cup scandals saw Croatia’s defender Josip Šimunić become the first player to receive three yellow cards in the tournament’s history. The event took place during a Group F match against Australia that was refereed by Graham Poll. The first card was given in the 61st minute for a foul on Harry Kewell.
The second card was given in the 90th minute for another foul on Harry Kewell, though, no red card was given. In the 93rd minute, Šimunić was booked once again and finally was awarded a red card after pushing Poll. The game ended with a 2-2 draw, though Poll’s international refereeing career ended in the wake of the incident.
9. Suarez’s Handball, 2010
During the 2010 African World Cup, a quarter-final game saw Ghana face Uruguay, with Ghana looking to become the first African team to reach a semi-final. However, when Uruguay’s Luis Suarez illegally blocked Ghana’s header into the goal with his hands, the team lost its edge.
Suarez was sent off and the Ghana team was granted a penalty in the 122nd minute. Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan hit the crossbar and missed, with the game going to penalties. Ghana lost the shootout, ending their campaign with a 5-3 loss to Uruguay on penalties. The World Cup controversy is still a raw point for Ghanaians, with locals labeling Suarez as a cheat.
8. The Disgrace of Gijon, 1982
This 1982 Group 2 match pit West Germany and Austria against one another after West Germany was defeated 2-1 in the opening group match. West Germany had to defeat Austria or face elimination. However, if Austria were to lose by three or more goals, Algeria would qualify in their place.
After West Germany scored in the first 10 minutes, the game slowed down to an uneventful match, with the final score at 1-0. This inspired accusations of match fixing against the teams, as both progressed to the second round. The strategizing of both teams, while not illegal, saw this become among the first FIFA World Cup controversies to result in rule changes to ensure group matches start at the same time.
7. Schumacher’s Hit, 1982
In the second of West Germany’s two World Cup controversies in 1982, the game produced a shocking close call with death. In the second half of the semifinal against France, French defender Patrick Battison raced against West Germany’s Harald Schumacher for a ball kicked by France’s Michel Platini.
Although Battison reached the ball first, a twisting maneuver saw Battison hit by Schumacher and sent to the ground, unconscious. Battison suffered three cracked ribs, lost two teeth, and damaged his vertebrae in an incident that could have cost him his life. No foul was called and West Germany went on to win the game.
6. Chile vs. Italy, 1962
Called The Battle of Santiago, this Group 2 match saw Chile face Italy in a tense battle that had been brewing for years. Off the field, a scandal between the nations emerged two years earlier when Italian journalists mocked Santiago after Chile was rocked by a 9.5 scale earthquake.
The game was a spectacle of violence. The first foul was committed in 12 seconds and they didn’t stop there. In the 8th minute, Italy’s Giorgio Ferrini had to be escorted off the field for a foul against Honorinoa Landa. Violence continued to mar the game, with punches, kicks, and broken noses a part of the carnage. Chile would later win 2-0, though both teams were publicly shamed for unsportsmanlike play.
5. Zinedine Zidane’s Headbutt, 2006
France’s Zinedine Zidane’s performance in the 2006 World Cup game against Italy has become one of the largest World Cup scandals and strangest endings to a football career in history. After a strong performance in the tournament, Zidane announced he would retireme after the Final.
The game was leveled 1-1 as it was about to enter penalties when Zidane headbutted Italy’s Materazzi’s chest. Zidane was given a red card, and France ultimately lost 5-3 to penalties without him. It was later revealed that Materazzi had made rude remarks to Zidane shortly before the incident.
4. Argentina’s World Cup Win, 1978
Argentina is no stranger to FIFA World Cup controversies, with their first unfolding in 1978. As the host nation, the team’s place in the knockout stage seemed doubtful with the team needing to beat Peru by four goals to beat Brazil by a point difference. The team would then net six goals over Peru, sparking rumors of match-fixing.
The team ultimately made it to the Finals against the Netherlands. However, before the match started, the Dutch team was left on the field alone to face a stadium of vitriolic Argentinian fans for ten minutes while Argentina stayed in their locker room. The Dutch team’s morale was shaken, and Argentina won their first World Cup 3-1. If you’re questioning why some nations’ rivalries with Argentina are so fraught in the next soccer World Cup, this is just one of the reasons.
3. South Korea’s Run, 2002
Like Argentina, South Korea’s turn at hosting garnered controversy over suspicions of corruption. Having never advanced out of a group stage in a previous tournament, South Korea advanced to the semifinal. Allegations of match-fixing plagued the team when a referee disallowed an Italian goal and sent off Italy’s Francesco Tottie for diving in Round 16.
South Korea went on to win the game 2-1. In the quarterfinal, the referee disallowed two Spanish goals and repeatedly judged Spain’s attack to be offside. As one of the most flagrant FIFA World Cup scandals, both referees were later fired for their poor decisions.
2. England vs. West Germany Ghost Goal, 1966
Undoubtedly one of the most controversial calls in football history happened in this unforgettable final game between England and West Germany. With the score 2-2 in the 100th minute, England’s Geoff Hurst took a shot that hit the crossbar and bounced out. It was a clear miss.
But after a brief deliberation between referee Gottfried Dienst and linesman Tofiq Bahramov, the referee awarded England the goal. England would win the trophy at Wembley Stadium to much controversy. Many Germans blamed Bahramov, an Azerbaijani under USSR rule, for bias.
1. The Hand of God, 1986
There are few events in sporting history as storied as Diego Maradona’s Hand of God play in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final game against England. The event happened when an offside Maradona for Argentina punched the ball into England’s net. Maradona immediately celebrated the foul, and the referee and linesman missed the action and declared it a goal.
In a later game, Maradona would score the Goal of the Century after dribbling past the entire England side to kick the ball into a vacant net. Argentina would later win the entire tournament and Maradonna went on to become the most controversial figure in football history.
