Overview
- FIFA is pressing for a tournament‑specific exemption so VAR can confirm who last touched the ball and whether it crossed the line before a corner at the 2026 World Cup, pending IFAB approval at early‑2026 meetings.
- The corner‑check plan remains contentious due to likely delays and the need to verify every corner before play resumes, with UEFA opposed and FA chief Mark Bullingham saying VAR should not be extended.
- Separate proposals to let VAR review second yellow cards have broad backing and are slated for IFAB’s January business meeting, with adoption viewed as more likely.
- FIFA says the World Cup can support rapid checks thanks to expanded VAR crews, additional camera angles and connected‑ball data not typically available to domestic leagues.
- Any dispensation would mirror past tournament trials such as VAR in 2017 and semi‑automated offside in 2022, with any approved changes targeted to take effect by June 1, 2026.