England v Mexico referee row erupts as FIFA told 'give him the final' after Thomas Tuchel rant

There has been some debate over the refereeing performance in England's 3-2 win over Mexico, with some big decisions made throughout the second half.

Referee Alireza Faghani split opinion with his performance in England's win over Mexico.

Referee Alireza Faghani was at the centre of everything as England ran out 3-2 winners in a chaotic and enthralling round of 16 clash with Mexico. The Australian-Iranian official divided opinion after some contentious decisions involving VAR and was called out in a scathing attack from Thomas Tuchel.

However, many World Cup fans felt the referee performed brilliantly and have called on FIFA to install him for next week's final. Faghani had several huge calls throughout a breathless 90 minutes, and ended up awarding two penalties and sending off England's Jarrell Quansah.

His first big decision came early in the second half when Quansah initially got away with a high challenge. Mexico were incensed, with tempers boiling over on the touchline after they felt the England star should be sent off.

After VAR intervened, Faghani checked the monitor and concurred, with Alan Shearer backing the call, admitting the replay looked 'horrible'. The ref then awarded England a penalty just minutes later after the Mexico goalkeeper Raul Rangel was adjudged to have brought down Anthony Gordon.

In perhaps the most controversial decision, after another visit to the pitchside monitor, he awarded Mexico a penalty with Harry Kane adjudged to have fouled his opponent. That set up a grandstand finish with Mexico making it 3-2 against 10-man England.

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Shearer, who was commentating for the BBC, felt the referee got that call completely wrong. He said: “Kane does clip the player's foot in there but that is not enough to give a penalty for me. That's a kick of the foot, that's not a penalty for me. He does clip his foot but not enough to give a penalty away, goodness me.

"I didn't think it was the right decision. I didn't think it was a clear and obvious error. I didn't think it was enough to turn it over. He gets the red card absolutely albeit by going to the screen fine but I didn't agree the penalty going to Mexico." Former Premier League match official Darren Cann, however, agreed with the call as Faghani continued to spark debate.

Tuchel was furious with both VAR calls, insisting that the officiating was 'not good enough' in an angry rant. "Just not good enough. The referees just aren't good enough, fourth officials just not good enough. It's the bottom line," he said.

Harry Kane protested after the referee awarded Mexico a penalty in the second half

"Did I see that right? Three people on the VAR from South America, a match like this? I could be wrong, if this is correct... VAR overturns a clear and obvious mistake for the penalty, absolutely not. VAR gets involved. He didn't overturn a yellow into a red, he didn't even give the foul he then overturned a decision that he didn't give as a foul.

"Referees not good enough, fourth officials not good enough." Not everyone agreed with the England boss, though, with some World Cup fans prasing Faghani and others criticising him.

Alireza Faghani is the most experienced referee at the 2026 FIFA World Cup; the only center referee in history to be appointed to four consecutive FIFA World Cups,” one said. “Based on performance, he deserves to be the referee for the World Cup Final.”

Another fan said: “Alireza Faghani should be the referee for the final. He has been spotless and completely fair throughout this World Cup. FIFA must go with him.”

Thomas Tuchel ripped into the referee after the match

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A third added: “Alireza Faghani did a wonderful job officiating the England vs Mexico game… Hope to see him officiate the quarter and semi-final.. Good job Alireza Faghani!”

“Classic match Bellingham, Raul Jimenez, Anderson, Gordon and the referee put on a clinic tonight,” a fourth said. “Jorge Sanchez had an absolute mare, as did Shearer, completely unlistenable. But really, the referee Alireza Faghani, what a beast.”

On the other side of the fence, one fan bluntly said: "The worst refereeing so far in this World Cup... Alireza Faghani."

A second added: “Alireza Faghani. You're the worst referee I've ever seen in my entire life," while another added: “Alireza Faghani should never be given another game as high-profile as that one. Way too easily influenced by the crowd/occasion. Quick to give decisions to Mexico he was reluctant to give to England. Went to his head.”

Despite the controversy, goals from Jude Bellingham and Kane sealed England’s place in the quarter-final. The Three Lions will now take on Norway in the quarter-final on Saturday night.

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