FIFA has been pulled into another controversy during the FIFA World Cup 2026 after a VAR official was accused online of making a hand gesture linked by some people to white supremacist groups. The incident took place before Germany’s Group E match against Curacao on June 15, when match officials were introduced to television viewers ahead of kick-off.

Referee Shaun Evans was on VAR during Germany's victory over Curacao when he was shown staring into the camera before kick-off, as has become customary at World Cup matches.

Match coverage cut to the VAR room ahead of Germany-Curaçao where the official appeared to make the gesture.