Germany’s controversial FIFA World Cup 2026 exit has sparked a wave of criticism from some of the country’s biggest football names, with former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp leading the backlash by questioning the VAR decision that ruled out Jonathan Tah’s extra-time winner against Paraguay — and dragging Premier League champions Arsenal into the debate.Germany were knocked out by Paraguay in a dramatic Round of 32 clash, losing 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. However, the defining moment came in the 101st minute when Tah’s headed goal was disallowed following a VAR review for an alleged foul by Waldemar Anton on Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill.
Why Klopp brought Arsenal into the debate
Speaking to German broadcaster MagentaTV after the defeat, Klopp questioned the consistency of the decision and pointed to Arsenal’s effectiveness from set pieces as an example.“If the goal is illegal, then Arsenal won’t be English champions. They’ve scored 60 per cent of their goals that way,” Klopp said.The former Liverpool boss suggested that if the level of contact involving Anton was deemed enough to disallow Tah’s goal, similar incidents that routinely occur during set-piece situations — including many of Arsenal’s goals — would also have been ruled out.Klopp’s comments added fuel to the growing debate surrounding VAR’s interpretation of physical challenges inside the penalty area.
Klose: ‘VAR is searching for reasons to cancel goals’
Germany legend Miroslav Klose was equally critical, insisting Tah’s goal should have stood.“I honestly cannot believe the referee and VAR have ruled that out. If that’s enough to disallow a goal at a FIFA World Cup, then football is becoming far too soft. The goalkeeper was never genuinely prevented from making the save, and for me that is a perfectly legitimate goal,” Klose told Sky Sports.The World Cup’s previous all-time leading scorer argued that VAR had strayed from its original purpose.“This is exactly why so many supporters are frustrated with VAR. Instead of correcting clear and obvious mistakes, it keeps searching for tiny incidents to cancel goals. Millions of fans came to watch football, not endless replays looking for reasons to take goals away.”Klose also felt the decision completely shifted the momentum of the match.“The referee has completely destroyed Germany’s momentum with that decision. These are the moments that change World Cups, and in my opinion, they’ve made a huge mistake.”
Schweinsteiger backs Tah after penalty heartbreak
Former Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger focused on the psychological impact the overturned goal may have had on Tah, who later missed from the penalty spot.“I honestly think that disallowed goal never left Jonathan Tah’s mind. Imagine believing you’ve scored the goal that sends your country through, celebrating with your teammates, and then having it taken away by VAR. Moments like that stay with you,” Schweinsteiger told ARD.He added that football is as much a mental game as a technical one.“When he walked up to take that penalty, I don’t think he was completely free mentally. Football is psychological as much as it is technical. I genuinely believe that first goal being ruled out affected him.”Schweinsteiger also defended the defender from criticism.“I won’t point the finger at Jonathan Tah because penalties are taken by brave players, not cowards. But I can’t stop thinking that if that first goal had stood, Germany wouldn’t even have been in a penalty shootout.”