Australia World Cup star speaks out against referee after big loss to USA as coaches complain

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A star player on Australia's World Cup team spoke out against referee Felix Zwayer after a 2-0 loss to the U.S. on Friday, as the head coach and an assistant coach have now complained about the referee as well.

Forward Nestory Irankunda said the referee had a "stinker."

"If you look at how the referee was today, [there’s] not much I can say about that," Irankunda told reporters after the game.

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"The ref was having a stinker today, but I mean it is what it is," he said. "He was giving every call to the USA. I get it, but at the same time, we know there’s two teams on the field, so you have to give the calls both ways and he didn’t do that today."

Nestory Irankunda of Australia reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between the U.S. and Australia at Seattle Stadium in Seattle, Wash., on June 19, 2026. (Jared C. Tilton/FIFA via Getty Images)

Irankunda's complaint came shortly after Australia manager Tony Popovic criticized Zwayer as well.

"I thought the referee gave too many fouls away, in all honesty," Popovic told reporters after the match. "Sometimes you didn’t have to do much to win a foul, and on the other occasions you you had to do a fair bit to get one.

"Today was I wouldn’t say the best day for the referee. Certainly we felt we were Australia today with the referees."

One of the more controversial moments in the match came when the Americans appeared to score their second goal. The play was initially called back for offside, but after a VAR review, officials determined the goal