Luka Modric criticizes VAR system, Croatia out of World Cup 2026
Luka Modric expressed his displeasure at VAR decisions as Croatia suffered a 1-2 defeat against Portugal. He said that VAR is being used in a faulty manner and it affects the results of the matches.
Croatia midfielder Luka Modric has strongly criticized the VAR system after the 1/16 final defeat against Portugal at the World Cup 2026. Modric said, "The umpire said Matanovic touched the ball, but we watched the replays — nowhere does it show that he touched it. If he didn't touch the ball, it's not offside. Yes, we should have got much more than that. Some things were not in our favor. That penalty... If the situation had been reversed, VAR would never have intervened. I have been saying from the beginning that when VAR was introduced, I did not like it. Time. In some cases it is being used incorrectly, considering the situation is controversial, it is not a penalty. Both were pushing and pulling each other. That's why such a penalty should not be given. “VAR should not interfere in different ways. But we will not defend ourselves, but such episodes break our game. This is the Croatia that everyone knows and respects,” Modric told Jutarnji List.---