Elumelu Urges FIFA to Raise Officiating Standards at World Cup

Nigerian businessman and philanthropist Tony Elumelu has called on FIFA to improve the standard of officiating at the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup, warning that repeated controversial refereeing decisions could undermine the credibility and integrity of football's biggest tournament.

Reacting to several contentious decisions recorded during the knockout stage, Elumelu said football supporters expect fairness, consistency and transparency from match officials. He noted that while mistakes are inevitable in football, the frequency of disputed calls has raised concerns among fans, players and football stakeholders around the world.

The businessman urged FIFA to review its officiating processes and strengthen referee performance to preserve confidence in the competition. According to him, the quality of refereeing should match the high standard displayed by players and teams competing for the World Cup title.

His remarks come amid growing international debate over the use of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system and the consistency of officiating decisions during the tournament. Several coaches, players and football analysts have questioned some refereeing calls, although FIFA has continued to defend its officials and the application of VAR throughout the competition.

Despite the controversies, the World Cup has continued to attract massive global attention as the remaining teams battle for a place in the final. Elumelu expressed hope that FIFA would address the concerns surrounding officiating to ensure that the outcome of matches is determined by the players' performances rather than disputed refereeing decisions.