CAF considers expanding VAR use in CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is moving towards expanding the use of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in its continental competitions, with the possibility of implementing it for the first time during the group stage of the CAF Champions League and the Confederation Cup, starting from the 2026-2027 season.

Reports indicate that the referees' committee and the Video Assistant Referee management within the CAF are holding intensive meetings to discuss the implementation mechanisms of the project, after the use of the technology in previous years was limited to the knockout stages, starting from the quarter-finals up to the final match.

The idea of introducing VAR technology to the group stage dates back about three years, but the project has seen more serious movements in recent months, as there is a trend within the continental federation to expand the use of the technology to include an earlier stage of African competitions.

If the decision is officially announced, the implementation of VAR is expected to begin during the group stage matches in November, which will represent a significant change in the management of matches in both competitions, as the presence of the technology has primarily been linked to the decisive stages.

The implementation of Video Assistant Referee technology in the group stage remains a proposal under consideration, awaiting a final decision from CAF and an official announcement in the near future.

The CAF Champions League and the Confederation Cup have kicked off with the first preliminary round, with the first leg matches taking place on September 4, 5, and 6, and the return fixtures scheduled for September 11, 12, and 13.

The second preliminary round matches will take place on October 16, 17, and 18, with the return fixtures scheduled for October 23, 24, and 25, before moving on to the group stage.