FIFA Plans Major Expansion of VAR Powers for 2026 World Cup

FIFA is set to expand the role of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, aiming to increase accuracy in critical game situations. The upcoming tournament, which will be hosted across the USA, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, will potentially see VAR reviewing second yellow cards that result in red cards, as well as corner kick decisions. Currently, VAR reviews mainly focus on goals, penalties, and direct red card incidents.

This expansion is motivated by the immense pressure on referees during the World Cup, where accurately assessing game-changing moments is crucial. FIFA officials intend to present these proposed changes to the International Football Association Board (IFAB) at their general meeting in London on January 20.

However, the proposal has sparked concerns among an IFAB advisory panel comprising former players, coaches, referees, and football organization representatives. They warn that additional VAR reviews may disrupt the flow of the game, leading to longer interruptions. This echoes wider frustrations voiced recently in the Bundesliga, where controversial VAR interventions, such as during the match between Borussia Mönchengladbach and RB Leipzig, attracted criticism. Gladbach coach Eugen Polanski condemned VAR's influence by calling it "complete nonsense in all situations."

Despite the debate, FIFA views the move as essential to maintaining fairness and reducing errors in the world’s biggest football event. The expanded scope of VAR could redefine refereeing standards in a tournament watched by millions globally, though its implementation will be closely scrutinized given the concerns about game pace and fan experience.