A refereeing controversy has emerged during the FIFA World Cup 2026 after Ghana say they were denied a penalty in their match against England. According to the reports, the dispute centers on an alleged incident involving Ghana that match officials did not award as a penalty, prompting criticism and claims of bias. The controversy has quickly drawn attention to the refereeing decision, with observers questioning whether the contact met the criteria for a penalty kick. NDTV reports that the match officials’ choice not to award a penalty is being challenged, and that the incident is being discussed as a wider example of contentious officiating in the tournament. While the reports focus on the nature of the decision and the reaction it has generated, they do not provide additional confirmed details about the incident beyond the claim that a penalty appeared justified. The matter highlights ongoing scrutiny of referee calls in high-stakes World Cup matches, particularly when key moments involve potential foul play in the penalty area.