I didn't think World Cup management and officiating would be "fair", but here we go in the first round already

[Ponietz]

Verdict: Messi's challenge was unnecessary and he was fortunate that the outcome was not a red card.

When challenging from behind with studs-on-calf contact and a level of force, the outcome should be a red card.

Whether Messi had no intent to foul in this manner is irrelevant; intent is not a consideration in law, and the facts of any contact should be the defining factor.

Messi was lucky as, in my opinion, this was a red card offense. It happened with the score at 1-0 and could have had a big impact on the game. It would have also impacted Messi's ability to play the rest of the World Cup group games, as a one-match ban could have occurred.

https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/49027532/world-cup-2026-var-review-red-card-penalty-handball-goal-line-technology

Also, Iran should be playing in Mexico or Canada. Forcing their commute to and from the US on the same day they play is onerous and adds more than a few hours of stress filled travel. Their team should be treated like any other as long as they’re competing.