How has the use of VAR impacted FIFA World Cup 2026? | In Focus Podcast
This podcast episode examines the impact of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology on the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It discusses both the technical benefits for officiating and the ongoing controversies surrounding its implementation.
Why it matters
VAR has fundamentally changed the nature of professional football, sparking global debate about the balance between technological accuracy and the flow of the game.
In 2016, The International Football Association Board (IFAB), which oversees the laws of the game, approved trials for video referees. This edition marks the third time that VAR has been used in World Cups starting with the 2018 World Cup in Russia. This World Cup has also seen numerous instances where lovers of the game have been up in arms regarding the interventions of VAR. Nevertheless, the Round of 16 match between Portugal and Croatia may be one of the best advocates for the usage of VAR in football. The decision to disallow Gvardiol’s equaliser would have been impossible with the naked eye.
The content presents a balanced overview of a technological debate in sports without taking a definitive stance.
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