A New Era for VAR Technology Ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026
The FIFA World Cup in 2026 will use new technology to help referees. Pierluigi Collina, who is FIFA’s main referee boss, says they will use the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system more often. This will happen at the next World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
The VAR system will now check two new things that often cause problems:
- Second yellow cards that lead to a player being sent off (a red card).
- Corner kick decisions.
This bigger use of VAR shows that FIFA wants the games to be fairer and more accurate. The main goal is to make sure that a team wins or loses because of how the players play, not because of a clear mistake by the referee.
Why Expand VAR Now? High Stakes Demand Greater Accuracy
Collina explained that they are doing this because the World Cup has very high stakes. In the knockout games, just one mistake can change everything. For example, a player could be wrongly sent off because of a mistaken second yellow card, or a wrong corner kick could lead to the winning goal. These big mistakes can ruin a team’s chances.
Right now, VAR only checks goals, penalty kicks, direct red cards, and if the referee sends off the wrong player. The new rules will fix clear mistakes in the two new areas. Collina repeated that the final goal is to “make correct decisions on the field of play.” This is FIFA’s way of making the rules better and making it clearer how referees make their final decisions.
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Addressing the Delay Concern: Corners and Second Yellows
One main problem people have with VAR is that it often causes long delays and stops the game. Collina said the new checks are planned to cause very little delay, especially for corner kicks. He pointed out that when a corner kick is given, the game naturally pauses for about 10 to 15 seconds while players move to their positions. Collina thinks this short time is perfect for a quick VAR check to see if the ball was clearly out of play before the corner was given, or if the attacking team touched it last.
For the second yellow card reviews, VAR will only get involved if there is a clear and obvious mistake. This is a high standard. It is meant to stop the game from stopping too much, but it still gives a very important way to fix a wrong decision that changes the match. FIFA is trying to balance using the new technology with keeping the game fast and exciting.
The Road Ahead: Trial, Approval, and the 2026 Tournament
Before these new VAR rules can be used at the 2026 World Cup, they must be officially approved by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), which sets the rules for the game.
It seems the idea of checking second yellow cards already has some initial support. However, the corner kick review will likely need more talking and testing. FIFA often tests new technology, like the semi-automated offside system, at big competitions like the World Cup. If approved, the 2026 tournament will have one of the biggest changes in referee technology in many years. This will help make the rules better and the tournament fairer for everyone.
Disclaimer
The news information presented here is based on available reports and reliable sources, including statements from FIFA’s referees’ chief Pierluigi Collina. Readers should cross-check updates from official news outlets and IFAB announcements for final rule confirmations.