World Cup 2026: Explaining VAR Official's Controversial Gesture

Fifa is seeking clarification over a hand gesture made by video assistant referee Shaun Evans before Germany's match against Curacao at the 2026 World Cup.

The incident happened during a pre-match ritual where VAR officials pose for the camera. In the case of Evans, he made a gesture that has two distinct meanings - one harmless and the other connected to an expression of white supremacy.

The 38-year-old Australian official has been appointed to officiate several games at the World Cup, including the tournament in Qatar.

Fifa has not provided an official explanation for the change in VAR hub presentation following the incident, but it's reported that Evans' gesture was the reason behind the change.

The organization behind the World Cup has been working to combat racism and extremism, and this gesture has sparked a lot of speculation.

Anti-discrimination organizations, including Fare and Kick It Out, have reached out to Fifa seeking clarification on the matter.

Despite the controversy, the VAR team has since stopped posing for the camera during pre-match rituals.

Here are some of the recent matches where the VAR team did not pose for the camera:

The Netherlands v Japan VAR team

The Ivory Coast v Ecuador VAR team

Meanwhile, the World Cup continues to be filled with exciting matches and dramatic moments.

Follow all the latest updates, fixtures, and standings on our World Cup page.