FIFA will introduce VAR to review corner kicks at the 2026 World Cup, marking the first time the technology will be used for this type of decision at a major tournament.
At an October meeting of the International Football Association Board, members agreed to extend VAR to review incorrectly awarded second yellow cards but rejected its use for corners. FIFA will run its own trial in matches across the United States, Mexico, and Canada next summer.
“These measures will be discussed further at the next IFAB meeting in January,” FIFA said, noting previous trials such as semi-automated offside technology and referees announcing VAR decisions to the crowd.
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FIFA’s head of referees Pierluigi Collina supports the change. “Any error that can quickly be identified by VAR could potentially be communicated,” he said, citing a Euro 2016 final incident where Portugal were wrongly awarded a free-kick in extra time that almost led to a goal.
Domestic leagues have raised concerns about delays. Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche expressed frustration after conceding goals from incorrectly awarded corners, while Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham told BBC Sport, “We are against it.”
FIFA believes it has the resources to implement the system. At the 2022 World Cup, group-stage matches had five officials in the VAR room, supported by multiple camera angles and connected ball technology. Under the Laws of the Game, referees cannot overturn a restart once play resumes, so VAR will review all corners to ensure accuracy.