The Digest:
FIFA is determined to expand the use of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology at the 2026 World Cup, specifically targeting reviews for potential red card offenses, despite significant resistance from domestic leagues concerned about the flow of the game. However, reports that this expansion includes reviewing corner kick decisions are inaccurate.
Key Points:
- FIFA, led by head of referees Pierluigi Collina, is pushing to implement an expanded VAR protocol for the 2026 World Cup in North America.
- The key proposed change is for VAR to review yellow card incidents to determine if they should be upgraded to red cards for serious foul play, not to review corner kick decisions as previously reported.
- This initiative follows a decision by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in October 2025 to allow such reviews.
- Major domestic leagues, including England's Premier League, are resisting the expansion, fearing it will increase interruptions and time-wasting.
- Mark Bullingham, CEO of England's Football Association, stated the current model has "enough interruptions."
- FIFA is concurrently developing new automated technology for faster offside and penalty area incident reviews.
- The governing body will need to conduct extensive trials ahead of the 2026 tournament to refine the process.
Sources: BBC Sport, The Athletic, FIFA
