Football's governing body is considering a significant shift in policy that could lead to video assistant referee (VAR) technology being used to adjudicate on corner kicks at the 2026 World Cup. The International Football Association Board (Ifab) is exploring the possibility of allowing major tournaments to run their own trials of new rules, potentially bypassing the traditional testing phase in minor leagues.
A New Era for Tournament-Specific Trials
Under the proposed change, Ifab would permit more short-term trials as an alternative to the current system. This system typically requires new measures to be trialled in lower-profile leagues or competitions before being introduced at elite tournaments like the World Cup. If approved, this new approach could see the 48-team World Cup in 2026 become a testing ground for innovative uses of technology.
The specific trial being discussed would involve using VAR to make fact-based decisions on corner kicks. The technology would be deployed to determine two key things: whether the ball had fully crossed the byline before the corner was awarded, and which team had last touched the ball before it went out of play. This move is seen by some within football's corridors of power as introducing a vital safety net.
Appetite for Change and Potential Pitfalls
There is reported enthusiasm for the trial, framed as a way to prevent an incorrectly awarded set-piece from unduly influencing the outcome of a crucial match, such as a World Cup final. The discussion around extending VAR's remit has been ongoing within Ifab throughout this year.
However, the proposal is not without its concerns. Officials are wary of adding further delays to the flow of the game, a common criticism of the current VAR system. There have also been internal talks about allowing VAR to review decisions on second yellow cards, though this has proven more challenging due to the often subjective nature of such cautions.
It is important to note that any trial at the World Cup would not require a full rewrite of the existing VAR protocols and would not automatically be carried over into other competitions like the Premier League. Any rule changes to facilitate these bespoke trials would need final approval at Ifab's annual general meeting, scheduled for March.
Fifa's Drive for Technological Innovation
This potential move aligns with Fifa's demonstrated enthusiasm for integrating new technology into its flagship tournaments. Recent examples include the use of semi-automated offside technology at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and the official introduction of referee bodycams at the Club World Cup last summer.
The prospect of VAR ruling on corners represents the next potential frontier in football's technological evolution, aiming to eliminate clear factual errors in a key area of the game. Whether it passes the scrutiny of Ifab's members and, ultimately, enhances the sport for fans, remains to be seen.
