Rabat – The International Football Association Board (IFAB), the governing body that sets the rules of the game, is considering whether to expand the use of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology to cover corner kicks at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
This idea is part of ongoing discussions about how VAR can be applied more widely to reduce mistakes, but it also raises concerns about slowing down matches.
Currently, VAR is used to review goals, penalties, red cards, and cases of mistaken identity. Adding corner kicks would be a major change.
IFAB is considering giving competitions the right to test this adjustment, and if approved, the 2026 World Cup could be the first major tournament to implement it.
The technology would help determine whether the ball fully crossed the goal line or which team last touched it before going out of play.
So far, IFAB has introduced new VAR experiments in lower divisions and youth competitions before moving them to bigger stages.
This cautious approach was also used when semi-automated offside technology debuted at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has consistently supported expanding technology in football, arguing that it improves fairness and reduces controversy.
Supporters of the idea believe corner kicks often lead to confusion, especially when goals are scored after deflections or disputed touches.
They argue that VAR could bring clarity in these moments. Critics, however, warn that adding more reviews will increase stoppages and disrupt the rhythm of games.
VAR checks already take time, and expanding them could frustrate players, coaches, and fans who want faster play.
The final decision will be made at IFAB’s annual meeting in March 2026. If approved, FIFA would decide whether to implement the change at the World Cup.
