Controversy surrounds a 1-1 draw between Qatar and Switzerland in a Group B match in Santa Clara. The dispute centers on whether Remo Freuler was offside before goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada fouled him. This decision led to a penalty that Breel Embolo converted, leaving many questioning the accuracy of the call.

Fifa marketed its new semi-automated offside system as a way to provide the most accurate illustrations ever seen by using lifelike player avatars. However, the governing body has not yet released the images for this specific incident. Gary Neville argued that the delay creates a vacuum that feeds conspiracy theories and suggests Fifa might be hiding something.

Other matches have seen quick graphic releases, such as the calls involving Ismael Saibari and Tani Oluwaseyi. Because this specific play appeared to be under the 10cm limit for audio alerts, the decision was tighter than previous examples. The lack of transparency contrasts with the speed of decisions made in other tournament games.

This inconsistency raises doubts about the implementation of the technology during high-stakes moments. While obvious offsides are handled instantly, the silence on the Freuler incident leaves the result under a cloud of suspicion. The governing body holds the only evidence that can prove the decision was correct.