FIFA has confirmed that Jude Bellingham’s controversial goal against Norway will remain valid after reviewing the incident and finding no evidence of any irregularity during England’s World Cup quarter-final victory.
The governing body examined the incident from England’s 2-1 extra-time win over Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, after questions were raised over whether the ball had struck an overhead camera cable before Bellingham scored.
The opening goal, which came in first-half stoppage time at 45+2 minutes, became the focus of debate after footage appeared to suggest that a clearance from Norway goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland may have been diverted by a Spidercam cable. The apparent change in the ball’s path prompted speculation that the goal should not have stood.
Following the match, FIFA carried out a review using information gathered from the tournament’s connected ball technology.
According to FIFA, the sensor embedded inside the ball did not register any abnormal movement or contact that would indicate the ball had touched the overhead cable.
“No evidence was found that the ball touched the cable and altered its movement,” FIFA stated.
Based on that assessment, football’s world governing body ruled that there was no reason to overturn the goal, confirming that the original decision on the field would stand.
The decision means Bellingham’s strike remains England’s opening goal in the quarter-final and continues to count as a decisive moment in the match.
England eventually defeated Norway 2-1 after extra time to secure a place in the last four of the tournament.
The controversy centred on the sequence that followed Nyland’s clearance from goal. Video clips circulated after the game appeared to show the ball potentially making contact with the overhead camera cable before dropping into a favourable position for England, leading to Bellingham’s finish.
The incident quickly became a talking point as observers questioned whether the suspected contact had influenced the direction of the ball and, consequently, the outcome of the move.
However, FIFA’s review concluded that the connected ball data did not support those claims.
The governing body said the built-in sensor showed no signal that could confirm contact with the cable, leaving no evidence that the ball’s trajectory had been affected.
As a result, the goal remains part of the official match record, and England’s victory is unchanged.
The ruling also ends the uncertainty surrounding one of the most debated moments of the World Cup quarter-finals.
England can now focus on their next challenge after booking a place in the semi-finals.
The Three Lions are set to face Argentina as they continue their pursuit of the 2026 FIFA World Cup title, with FIFA’s decision ensuring there will be no further review of the controversial opening goal against Norway.
