FIFA Makes Controversial Claim About England Goal Against Norway That Appeared To Hit Camera Cable

Two goals from Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham lifted England into the semifinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 2-1 victory over Norway in extra time.

However, many believe that the Three Lions did not even deserve to reach extra time after scoring a controversial goal in the opening half to tie the match and then having a Norway goal ruled out following a VAR check.

Now, FIFA has officially weighed in on Bellingham’s first goal, which came in the second minute of stoppage time in the first half and tied the game at 1-1.

FIFA Says England Goal Did Not Hit Camera Cable Despite Video Showing Otherwise

The opening goal came in the 36th minute from Norway’s Andreas Schjeldrup on an incredible shot that went over England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and bounced in off the far post.

But England wasn’t behind for long, as Bellingham equalized on a counter attack just before half. However, the goal came with a significant amount of controversy.

Video appeared to show a goalkick from Norway keeper Orjan Nyland strike the cable for the skycam setup near midfield and immediately drop to the turf.

For the benefit of those who haven’t seen the review of the ball hitting the camera cable before England’s equaliser on Fox Sports… pic.twitter.com/TQks5POkLe

— Melissa Reddy (@MelissaReddy_) July 11, 2026

By rule, the play should have been blown dead immediately and play should be restarted with a drop ball. Instead, the play continued and resulted in an England goal.

In a post on X, FIFA’s official media team stated that “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.”

Adidas’s Trionda ball is implanted with a sensor that is supposed to detect even the slightest of movement. In fact, the same sensor cost Croatia a game-tying goal against Portugal in the round of 32 when it detected the hair of forward Igor Matanovic touched the ball while he was in an offside position.

Here is the explanation of the offside call in the game between Portugal and Croatia 🇵🇹🇭🇷

Every ball in this World Cup has a sensor inside that is registering even lightest touch. The moment the Croatian player touched the ball with his head or even hair his teammate was on the… pic.twitter.com/cpI8CFkQh6

— Mario (@PawlowskiMario) July 3, 2026

If the ball didn’t hit the cable, it’s extremely difficult to explain why it would just die in mid-air in the manner that it did and come crashing straight down.

Meanwhile, Norway then had an apparent go-ahead goal taken off the board after a VAR review determined that star striker Erling Haaland committed a foul during the play.

Safe to say, the Norwegians will have plenty to be agrieved about while England moves on to the semifinals.