FIFA pushes for wider VAR authority ahead of 2026 World Cup

December 2, 2025 Oliver Obel

People familiar with recent discussions say FIFA has argued that routine restarts such as corners can alter the direction of tightly contested knockout matches. According to The Times, officials believe that an incorrect corner in a match watched worldwide, particularly the final at the MetLife Stadium, deserves the same scrutiny already applied to offsides and penalty incidents.

The governing body is also supporting a plan for VAR to review second yellow cards. The Sun has reported that this idea is likely to gain approval from football’s rule makers.

Why IFAB’s approval matters

Although many fans assume FIFA controls global football rules, all law changes must pass through the International Football Association Board. The board consists of the four British football associations and FIFA. Any amendment requires six votes out of a total of eight.

A person familiar with the discussions said several board members remain cautious about adding more stoppages, especially with a World Cup that will host a record forty eight teams. The Times reported that IFAB wants reassurance that any review of corner incidents could be completed within seconds and would not worsen existing frustrations about delays linked to VAR.

Looking to past experiments

FIFA has used temporary exemptions before. VAR appeared at the 2017 Confederations Cup and at the Club World Cup while the system was still being evaluated. Supporters of a new trial believe the upcoming World Cup, which spans three countries and dozens of venues, provides a suitable setting to test whether corner decisions can be handled quickly by video officials without disrupting the flow of play.

If approved, VAR would help determine whether the ball had fully crossed the line before a corner or which player made the final touch. These moments often prompt protests from teams and replays sometimes reveal that the on field decision was incorrect.

Domestic implications still unclear

It is not yet known whether domestic leagues, including the Premier League, would adopt any temporary measures used next summer. English refereeing officials are monitoring developments but have not indicated whether similar rules would be applied at home.

IFAB is expected to review the proposals in the coming months ahead of the first of June deadline for tournament law adjustments. Until a decision is made, the debate highlights a wider question within modern football: how far should technology influence moments that were once judged only by the referee.

Sources: The Times, The Sun.