FIFA makes major VAR change for remainder of World Cup after teams raise complaints
FIFA has updated its VAR protocol for the 2026 World Cup to station officials inside stadiums for all remaining matches. This change aims to improve operational reliability and provide a backup system following criticism of remote officiating.
Why it matters
The move highlights the ongoing challenges of integrating technology into high-stakes sports and the pressure governing bodies face to ensure officiating transparency.
FIFA has introduced a significant change to its Video Assistant Referee (VAR) operations for the remainder of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, moving VAR officials into stadiums for every remaining match following mounting criticism over officiating during the knockout stages.The new protocol came into effect from Thursday's quarter-final between France and Morocco and marks a notable adjustment to how the tournament's review system is being operated. Until now, every VAR decision had been handled remotely from FIFA's Video Operation Room at the International Broadcast Centre (IBC) in Dallas, Texas.The governing body insists the change is designed to strengthen operational reliability rather than alter the decision-making process, but it arrives after a series of high-profile controversies placed refereeing standards under intense scrutiny.How FIFA's new VAR system will workUnder the revised protocol, FIFA will station both a primary VAR official and a reserve VAR official inside every stadium for the rest of…
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