VAR, But Faster: FIFA Eyes Bold New Officiating Tech Ahead Of 2026 World Cup

Last Updated:December 05, 2025, 14:14 IST

FIFA will look to expand VAR for the 2026 World Cup without slowing games, adding tech like referee body-cam and upgraded offside to keep officiating sharp and fast.

(Credit: X)

Pierluigi Collina has moved to reassure fans that next summer’s World Cup won’t be slowed down by extra VAR checks — even as FIFA prepares to expand the system’s reach.

The legendary former referee and current chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee confirmed that officials are exploring VAR reviews for second yellow cards and even corner-kick decisions, arguing that a single mistake in either scenario could swing an entire tournament.

“It would be a pity if the result of a competition is decided not by what the players do, but by an honest mistake," Collina said. “If we can avoid that, it’s positive."

Collina stressed that the priority remains unchanged: no additional delays. Corner kicks, he noted, already come with a natural 10–15 second pause as players set up == a window that makes correcting an obvious error perfectly feasible.

“If everyone can see the corner was wrongly given, why should we pretend otherwise?" he said. “The idea is simple: no delay, and no hiding."

To combat time-wasting, FIFA has also experimented with new measures — including a two-minute mandatory spell off the pitch for players treated for injuries during the Arab Cup. The aim: discourage gamesmanship and keep matches moving.

Beyond officiating tweaks, FIFA is weighing new technologies for the 2026 World Cup, building on trials from this year’s Club World Cup in the United States.

Johannes Holzmueller, FIFA’s director of innovation, revealed successful tests of the “referee body-cam", which showed TV viewers and stadium fans exactly what referees saw during key moments. FIFA hopes to bring the feature to the World Cup, pending rule-approval from IFAB.

Semi-automated offside has also been upgraded. In the latest version, certain offside alerts are sent straight to assistant referees, eliminating delays that come from waiting on the VAR booth.

“For us, it’s about balance," Holzmueller said. “Technology should support referees, coaches, and fans without changing the essence of the game."

Collina added that compared to his own World Cup days, the level of technological support available now is “night and day."

And with the 2026 tournament kicking off across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, FIFA wants officiating to be as sharp — and fast — as possible.

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