FIFA addresses controversial England goal that helped lead to QF win

England's Jude Bellingham. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters

FIFA addresses controversial England goal that helped lead to QF win

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Jul 11, 2026 9:22 PM ET

Jude Bellingham scored two goals for England on Saturday evening to send it through to the semifinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. His goals were the difference in a 2-1 quarterfinal win over Norway that required extra time to decide the winner.

The main reason it needed extra time is the fact England was able to score the equalizer in minute 45+2 in the first half.

That goal came with some controversy regarding whether or not the ball had been disrupted by an overhead cable just before Bellingham scored.

FIFA has attempted to address that controversey.

FIFA says ball never registered that it hit camera cable

The play began with Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland took a goal kick, with the ball appearing to change its trajectory as it approached mid-field. It was believed that the ball had struck an overhead camera cable that is used during the match. It was only moments later that Bellingham scored his first goal of the match, with the Norway players and bench immediately protesting that it hit the cable.

FIFA eventually released a statement trying to argue that the ball never hit the cable, because there was "no peak in the heartbeat of the ball." The balls used have a sensor in them that is supposed to detect even the most marginal contact.

Before England’s goal in minute 45+2 against Norway, the sensor in the Connected Ball showed no peak in the 'heartbeat of the ball' when in the air, and therefore no evidence that the ball touched the overhead wire and changed the movement of the ball. pic.twitter.com/gYf9ukfveT
— FIFA Media (@fifamedia) July 11, 2026

Earlier in the tournament that same technology was used to negate a potential Croatia goal after it was determined to have made contact with a player, making the play offside.

This really comes down to how much you trust the technology in question, and how much you trust FIFA's explanation. Or FIFA in general.

In watching the replay, it really does seem like the ball has its trajectory suddenly change. But the sensor technology is in place to eliminate optical illusions, obscured views and anything else that could produce a misleading angle or result. The technology says it never hit anything, and that's pretty much all anybody can go by.

If you are an England supporter, you almost certainly agree.

If you are Norway supporter, you're probably doubting the technology and trusting what your eyes are telling you.

Bellingham ended up scoring the winning goal in the 93rd minute, while England was able to hold on for the win.

Norway certainly had its chances to add on to its early first half lead, and to even add a second goal in the second half, but was never able to capitalize.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on X @AGretz

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