The International Football Associarion Board (IFAB) has reported that it has approved a clarification to the video assistant referee (VAR) protocol for implementation at the 2026 World Cup in relation to “obvious infringements committed by the attacking team before the ball enters play at a corner kick or free kick that have a direct impact on a goal, penalty or disciplinary sanction.”
Thus, the IFAB explains that “if the infringement meets the criteria set out in the clarification, the VAR will recommend a review on the field of play, after which, if the referee determines that an infringement occurred before the ball went into play, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken and the corner kick or free kick will be retaken.” The clarification will be reviewed after the World Cup before any decision is made on its possible wider application, the IFAB adds (Filed as: VAR: historic change for 2026 World Cup).
The new refereeing innovations that FIFA will introduce in the 2026 World Cup
FIFA will introduce a number of important new developments in refereeing during the upcoming World Cup, which will begin on June 11.
The purpose of this is to reduce time losses as much as possible.
And punish with a red card those players who cover their mouths when arguing with an opponent.
In addition, those who leave the field in protest against a referee’s decision.
Will these changes work?
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The use of video refereeing will also be expanded, which will be able to review corner kicks awarded by mistake and second yellow cards.
A time limit shall be established for a throw-in or for the goalkeeper to restart play.
And there will be a ten-second countdown for a substituted player to leave the field of play.
All of them, decisions aimed at “cleaning up the soccer” and “increasing the pace of the game”.
The president of the FIFA Referees Committee, former Italian referee Pierluigi Collina, explained in a virtual session with the media.
In addition, all World Cup matches will have two three-minute hydration breaks at the halfway point of each half (Filed as: VAR: historic change for World Cup 2026).
With information from EFE
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