Germany’s controversial exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup has sparked a wave of criticism from some of the country’s biggest names in football, with former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp leading the backlash by questioning the VAR decision that ruled out Jonathan Tah’s stoppage-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 header was disallowed after 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 will not be English champions. They scored 60 percent of their goals like that,” said Klopp.The former Liverpool boss suggested that if the level of contact involving Anton was deemed sufficient to disallow Tah’s goal, similar incidents that routinely occur in set-piece situations – including several Arsenal goals – would also be ruled out.Klopp’s comments add fuel to the growing debate over VAR’s interpretation of physical challenges in the penalty area.
Klose: “VAR is looking for reasons to cancel goals”
German legend Miroslav Klose was equally critical, insisting Tah’s goal should have been.“Honestly, I can’t believe the referee and the VAR ruled it out. If it’s enough to disallow a goal to a FIFA World Cupthen football has become too beautiful. The goalkeeper was never really stopped from making the save, and for me it’s a perfectly legitimate goal,” Klose told Sky Sports.The World Cup’s all-time leading scorer has argued that VAR has strayed from its original purpose.“This is exactly why so many supporters are frustrated with VAR. Instead of correcting clear and obvious mistakes, it continues to look for small incidents to cancel the goals. Millions of fans came to watch football, not endless replays looking for reasons to take the goals.”Klose also felt the decision completely changed the momentum of the match.“The referee completely destroyed Germany’s momentum with this decision. These are the moments that change the World Cup, and in my opinion, they made a huge mistake.”
Schweinsteiger supports Tah after the penalty kick
Former Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger focused on the psychological impact the disallowed goal may have had on Tah, who later missed from the penalty spot.“I honestly think that the disallowed goal has never left Jonathan Tah’s mind. Imagine believing that you have scored the goal that sends your country through, celebrating with your teammates, and then having it taken by VAR. Moments like that stay with you,” Schweinsteiger told ARD.He added that football is as much a mental game as it is technical.“When he went to take that penalty, I don’t think he was completely free mentally. Football is as much psychological as it is technical. I really believe that the first goal that was ruled out affected him.”Schweinsteiger also defended the defender from criticism.“I don’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 been, Germany wouldn’t even have been in a penalty shootout.”
