Overview
- Football’s rulemakers expanded VAR to fix clear second-yellow errors, wrong-team punishments, and some corner decisions, with the changes first available at the 2026 World Cup and optional for domestic leagues.
- DFB VAR chief Jochen Drees criticized the move, saying it risks pulling video review into referee judgment and leaves the “quick check” standard for corners vague.
- FIFA’s coach-triggered Football Video Support is under discussion for Germany’s 3. Liga and the Frauen-Bundesliga because it uses fewer cameras and no central hub, which lowers costs.
- Trials of the coach challenge in Italy and Spain’s third tiers, Canada’s top league, and at the U20 World Cup gave trainers limited review chances, and FIFA referee chair Pierluigi Collina said the early results were encouraging.
- Supporters cite fairness and clearer accountability, while critics warn of tactical time-wasting, added pressure on coaches, and camera limits that could fuel even more frustration, especially where full VAR is not in place.