Video Assistant Referee technology continues to evolve. Here is how VAR decisions could shape the 2026 World Cup and the controversies to expect.
Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology has fundamentally changed football since its World Cup debut in 2018. By 2026, VAR will have had nearly a decade of refinement and is more embedded in the game than ever — but the debates and controversies surrounding its use remain as heated as ever.
How VAR Works at the World Cup
FIFA's VAR system uses multiple camera angles to review four categories of decision: goals, penalty decisions, direct red cards, and cases of mistaken identity. Referees are notified by the VAR team if a clear and obvious error has been made, and can choose to review footage on a pitchside monitor.
Improvements Since 2018
Eight years of VAR usage across global competitions has refined the system significantly. Clearer protocols for what constitutes a review, better communication between on-field referees and VAR operators, and improved camera technology have all contributed to more consistent decision-making.
Offside Technology
Semi-automated offside technology, first used at the 2022 World Cup, returns in 2026. Using multiple cameras and player skeletal tracking, it can determine offside decisions within seconds — eliminating the lengthy delays that frustrated fans in 2022.
Controversial Calls Are Inevitable
Despite technological improvements, VAR decisions will remain controversial at the 2026 World Cup. The subjective elements of football — handball interpretations, the threshold for "clear and obvious" errors — cannot be eliminated by technology alone.
Impact on the Tournament Narrative
VAR decisions have the potential to eliminate genuine favorites, reverse momentum at critical moments, and generate headlines that dominate tournament conversation. For better or worse, VAR has become an integral part of the World Cup story.
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