FIFA Studies Applying VAR Rules to Corner Kicks in the World Cup

The British newspaper "The Telegraph" revealed that FIFA is seeking an exemption to expand the powers of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) at the 2026 World Cup to include reviewing corner kick decisions.

The proposal to review incorrect corner kicks received mixed reactions from a technical committee affiliated with the body responsible for the rules of the game, but they may grant special exceptions for short tournaments such as the World Cup and the upcoming European Championships.

The report added that FIFA is also interested in the possibility of reviewing the second yellow card, although the priority seems to be on corner kicks to avoid embarrassing mistakes, especially in final matches.

The report indicated that these amendments will provide FIFA with additional tools without changing the overall video technology protocol, allowing for the implementation of policies specific to short tournaments. The upcoming FIFA meeting in Washington is scheduled to discuss the details of this step before the World Cup draw.

The newspaper also indicated that expanding the use of video technology for corner kicks conflicts with one of the principles of Law 5, which prohibits altering replay decisions after the ball has been put back into play. However, an exception allows its application within a specific framework for major tournaments.

The report noted reservations within European football circles regarding this change, with some officials expressing concerns about increased delays during matches. Meanwhile, FIFA views the implementation at the World Cup as an opportunity to test these rules before any potential wider adoption in other competitions.

The newspaper explained that any final decision may be made during the annual meeting next March, allowing enough time to implement the new rules in the World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, while club tournaments are not expected to adopt the same changes at this time.