How Does VAR Work at the World Cup? Everything You Need to Know

How Does VAR Work at the World Cup? Everything You Need to Know

Video Assistant Referee (VAR) was introduced to support the on field officiating team when it comes to clear and obvious errors. It gives the referee the chance to review certain decisions so they have the opportunity to change the decision if they feel as if a clear and obvious error has been made.

However, since the introduction of this technology, there have been a lot of controversial decisions that have been made using it. This is because it is being used for decisions which are subjective such as handballs and fouls. In the Premier League especially there has been a handful of occasions where PGMOL have had to apologise to clubs after a match due to an error that has been made from officials. This is understandably unacceptable as it is costing teams valuable points as a result of these errors.

As voted by you. 🗳️

Here's how the Premier League table would look without VAR 'errors' after GW36. 👇 https://t.co/tVh2jzLaKf pic.twitter.com/njSZhD6keR

— Squawka (@Squawka) May 14, 2026

What Decisions Are VAR Currently Used For?

Goals whether that is for an offside, foul or handball in the build up.

Penalties to decide if the correct decision was made regarding the foul and if it was inside or outside of the box.

Red cards for serious foul play, violent conduct, denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity, or abusive behaviour.

Mistaken identity if the referee has awarded a card to the wrong player.

What Is New With VAR at the World Cup?

It can intervene with corner kicks if they have been awarded incorrectly.

It can overturn a second yellow card if it feels that the referee has made an incorrect decision.

🚨 𝐍𝐄𝐖: VAR will now be able to intervene in wrongly awarded CORNER kicks, wrongly-awarded second yellow cards, and mistaken identity incidents. Some of the changes approved ahead of this summer's World Cup tournament. #MUFC [Sky] pic.twitter.com/Kqy3j2FtAn

— Official_Nonso 🔴👹 (@raphnelson_abah) June 3, 2026

As expected, this decision will bring doubt to a lot of fans around the world as the question has to be asked as to if something that is yet to be perfected should be made more complicated for the people operating it?