Football's lawmakers are considering a significant change to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system that could be implemented for the first time at the 2026 World Cup. The International Football Association Board (IFAB), the organization responsible for the Laws of the Game, is exploring the possibility of allowing tournaments to run their own trials of new rules. This could lead to VAR being used to adjudicate on corner kicks at the World Cup next summer.

Currently, VAR intervention is limited to reviewing potential goals, penalty decisions, direct red card incidents, and cases of mistaken identity. The proposed change would expand VAR's scope to include decisions related to corner kicks, specifically to determine whether the ball had fully crossed the line or which team last touched the ball before going out of play.

The IFAB will consider this and other potential rule modifications at its annual business meeting in London in January 2026. Any changes to the rules that would allow bespoke trials would need to be approved at IFAB's annual general meeting in March.

The rationale behind this potential expansion is to provide a "safety net" against incorrectly awarded set-pieces that could influence the outcome of important matches, such as a World Cup final. There is a growing sentiment that VAR should be allowed to determine fact-based decisions, such as whether a ball was out of play before a corner was awarded. FIFA has shown an enthusiasm for introducing new technological approaches into tournaments, with semi-automated offside technology used at the World Cup in Qatar and bodycams on referees.

However, there are also concerns about the risk of adding extra delays to the game. Allowing VAR to determine on inaccurately awarded second yellow cards has also been discussed, though this move has also proven challenging owing to its often subjective nature. It’s that last category that could soon see an adjustment. At present, VAR can review a referee's decision to issue a direct red card, but it cannot intervene when a player is sent off for a second yellow. The proposal would allow reviews in those double-yellow situations as well.

In addition to VAR, IFAB is considering other rule changes, such as setting a time limit for players to take throw-ins. This proposal aims to speed up play and reduce intentional time-wasting, similar to the rule requiring goalkeepers to release the ball within eight seconds after gaining possession. This could also extend to other restarts, such as goal kicks.

Earlier this year, a test was conducted at the FIFA U-20 World Cup using a new concept called the Green Card. This system allows coaches to request reviews directly when they believe it's necessary, rather than waiting for the VAR team to intervene on its own. IFAB is considering expanding the range of situations in which VAR can intervene.

The use of VAR was first included in the Laws of the Game in 2018/19. FIFA assesses the technological aspects of VAR systems through the FIFA Quality Programme for VAR Technology. The VAR protocol conforms to the principles and philosophy of the Laws of the Game. The use of VARs is only permitted where the match/competition organizer has fulfilled all the Implementation Assistance and Approval Programme (IAAP) requirements as set out in FIFA's IAAP documents, and has received written permission from FIFA.