Officiating, investigated

2026 World Cup · Captured-data preview

Was it fair?

Pick a question and see which teams the referees treated most — and least — evenly. Every number opens onto the evidence behind it.

Teams 16 of 48
Teams included in every ranking

Across every question

Who came out ahead overall?

A rough combined view of how the calls broke for each team across the questions below — not a single verdict.

  1. Spain#1
  2. Argentina#2
  3. Mexico#2
See the full picture →

The questions we asked

What we looked at

Punishment

Punishment

Were they carded more than the teams they played?

Fewest cards ✓ Favorable

  1. Norway
  2. Argentina
  3. France

Most cards

  1. Egypt
  2. Paraguay
  3. Brazil

Fewest cards is the favorable side — fewer cards than their opponents drew means the calls leaned their way.

Punishment

Do teams pick up more cards than usual when they play them?

Fewer than usual

  1. France
  2. Norway
  3. England

More than usual ✓ Favorable

  1. Mexico
  2. Spain
  3. Paraguay

More than usual is the favorable side — opponents booked above their own usual rate means the calls fell the team's way.