Four refereeing decisions shape World Cup semi-final lineup

Four referee decisions during the 2026 World Cup quarter-finals prompted protests from the teams that were eliminated.

• The referee issued a second yellow card to Switzerland's Breel Embolo for simulation after a VAR review, reducing his team to ten men against Argentina.
• England's equalising goal against Norway was allowed to stand despite Norwegian protests that the ball had touched a camera cable before the attack.
• France were awarded a first-half penalty against Morocco after contact between Noussair Mazraoui and Kylian Mbappé; replays showed no clear obstruction.
• A handball appeal by Belgium against Spain was rejected because the ball came from a deliberate clearance by a Spanish defender.