Despite opposition from domestic leagues, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) is determined to proceed with its plans of incorporating Video Assistant Referee (VAR) checks for corner kicks in the 2026 World Cup. This decision comes as part of a broader review of VAR protocol and will require a trial run before it can be implemented in the tournament set to take place across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
In an October meeting held by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), which governs football laws worldwide, there was consensus on expanding VAR's scope. It was agreed that VAR could be used to review second yellow cards incorrectly shown that lead to red cards. However, FIFA's proposal for reviewing corners using VAR faced rejection.
Despite this setback, FIFA remains committed to its plan and is expected to create a trial for implementing it in next summer's games. Further discussions on these measures are scheduled for IFAB’s next meeting in January.
FIFA’s history with trials
FIFA has a history of applying trials during its competitions as part of its continuous efforts towards improving game fairness and accuracy. Examples include semi-automated offside technology and referees announcing VAR decisions directly to spectators. The same mechanism could potentially be used for reviewing corner kicks.
Pierluigi Collina, head of referees at FIFA and former referee himself, has been vocal about his support for this change as part of an extensive review into how VAR is utilized within matches. He believes that any error quickly identified by the VAR should ideally be communicated promptly. Collina cited an incident from Euro 2016 final where Portugal was wrongly awarded a free-kick due to handball near the area edge during extra time - almost leading them to score a goal. This incident underscores the potential impact of VAR in preventing such errors and ensuring fair play.
FIFA's decision to implement VAR checks for corner kicks at the 2026 World Cup is a significant step towards enhancing game accuracy and fairness. While this move has faced opposition, FIFA's commitment to trialing new technologies and protocols demonstrates its dedication to improving football standards globally. As sports fans and sports betting enthusiasts, we can look forward to more accurate decisions that will undoubtedly add another layer of excitement to the beautiful game.
