Didier Drogba has launched a scathing attack on the officiating following Ivory Coast's exit from the FIFA World Cup 2026, insisting his former team was denied a clear penalty in the second half of their 2-1 Round of 32 defeat to Norway. The legendary striker took to social media to question the effectiveness of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) after Nicolas Pepe's appeals were waved away in a decision that has become one of the most contentious moments of the knockout stage.
Controversial penalty decision sparks Drogba's ire
The incident occurred midway through the second half when Nicolas Pepe, the Ivory Coast winger, appeared to be brought down inside the Norway penalty area. Despite vehement protests from the Elephants' players, the referee allowed play to continue, and the VAR did not intervene to recommend a review. The decision left the African side frustrated, as they were chasing an equalizer at the time.
"Disgraceful, that penalty not called on Nicolas Pepe, pfffffff, what's the point of VAR?!??!" Drogba wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter) shortly after the match. The former Chelsea striker's outburst reflected the anger felt by many Ivory Coast fans and neutrals who believed a clear foul had been missed.
Norway edges past Ivory Coast in dramatic encounter
Norway secured a 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast in a tightly contested Round of 32 clash at the FIFA World Cup 2026, played on Tuesday local time in Texas, United States. The match saw Erling Haaland once again prove decisive, netting a dramatic 86th-minute winner to seal Norway's progression. The result means Norway advances to the Round of 16, where they will face Brazil, while Ivory Coast exits the tournament after a spirited performance that marked their first-ever World Cup knockout match.
The defeat was particularly bitter for Ivory Coast, who had shown resilience throughout the game. After falling behind early, they fought back to level the score before Haaland's late strike broke their hearts. The penalty controversy, however, has overshadowed the match, with many arguing that the outcome could have been different had Pepe's appeal been upheld.
Historic moment for Ivory Coast overshadowed
Ivory Coast was playing their very first World Cup knockout match in the nation's history, making the defeat even more poignant. The team had qualified for the knockout stages for the first time after a strong group-stage performance, but their journey was cut short by Norway's late heroics. Drogba's criticism of VAR has added to the sense of injustice, with the former striker using his platform to highlight what he perceives as a systemic failure in the use of technology.
According to reports, the referee and VAR officials deemed that the contact on Pepe did not meet the threshold for a penalty, a decision that has been widely debated in post-match analysis. Norway, meanwhile, will now prepare for a daunting Round of 16 clash against five-time champions Brazil, while Ivory Coast will reflect on what might have been.
