Haaland comments on refereeing decision during France versus Morocco World Cup quarter-final

By Brian Otieno — 10 July 2026 — 3 min read

Erling Haaland has publicly commented on a refereeing decision during the World Cup quarter-final match between France and Morocco. His remarks specifically addressed the extended delay Kylian Mbappe experienced before taking a penalty kick in the game.

During the match, Mbappe was awarded a penalty after being fouled by Noussair Mazraoui. However, the subsequent review by VAR officials in Dallas led to a significant delay. Mbappe was reportedly forced to wait for three minutes and ten seconds before he could take the spot-kick. This lengthy pause visibly frustrated the French player, who appeared to shout towards the referee after the save.

The delay became a notable point of discussion on social media platforms. Haaland joined the conversation by posting on Snapchat, expressing his view on the situation. His post included a picture of the incident and the caption: “Need to wait 5 mins to take a penalty is way too long.” While the actual wait was not quite five minutes, it was close to that duration.

Controversy Surrounding the Penalty Review

The review process for Mbappe’s penalty was described by some as akin to ‘icing the kicker’ in American football, suggesting it disrupted Mbappe’s natural rhythm. The tension reportedly built as Mbappe had to adjust himself multiple times while awaiting the decision. Despite his experience as a professional, the unusual length and nature of the review appeared to affect his performance, with his subsequent shot being saved by Yassine Bounou, Morocco’s penalty specialist.

The officiating crew for the match also drew attention. All five on-site match officials, including the fourth official and the reserve assistant referee, were from Argentina. This circumstance made headlines in the lead-up to the game, which was played in Boston. Fans on social media raised questions about FIFA’s decision to appoint an entire officiating crew from a single nation, especially given that Argentina had played France in the previous World Cup and had been involved in controversial decisions earlier in the tournament.

While it was the first instance in this World Cup where an entire officiating crew was composed of officials from only one nation, it has been common for referees and their assistants to be from the same country. For example, England’s win over Mexico in the last 16 was overseen by three Australian referees, and three French officials were appointed for Argentina’s match against Egypt, with two additional officials in the VAR room. FIFA’s decision regarding the referee appointments for the France versus Morocco match was made before Argentina’s game against Egypt.

Haaland’s Growing Connections

Haaland’s public support for Mbappe has been noted, particularly given his increasingly close relationship with Real Madrid players and fans. He is reportedly developing a strong connection with Vinicius Junior and is now seen as closer to the hearts of Madridistas. His Snapchat post in support of Mbappe and against the referees for the lengthy penalty review further aligns him with the current Real Madrid No. 9.

This public stance by Haaland comes amidst ongoing speculation about his future. Reports suggest that Haaland has been keeping open the possibility of a future transfer to Real Madrid. Even his father, a former Manchester City player, and football journalist Fabrizio Romano have indicated that a move in a few years should not be ruled out. As Haaland continues to build relationships with Real Madrid stars and their fanbase, the interest in him from the club’s supporters is expected to grow.

Former footballer Roy Keane, who was on punditry duty, also criticised the delay, stating that it was unfair and that time is the enemy for a striker in such a pressure situation, potentially giving an advantage to the defending team. The incident occurred during Thursday’s World Cup quarter-final.

Source: therealchamps.com