Referee checking the VAR screen during a Premier League match (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
BBC Sport reports that a number of new VAR rules will be introduced for the upcoming 2026 World Cup.
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Soccer fans everywhere are now accustomed to seeing referees looking at pitch-side screens to closely examine important events during matches.
While this wasn’t the most popular addition to the sport, it doesn’t seem like it’s going anywhere, with the technology set to be referenced in many more incidents in the future.
According to a report from BBC Sport, “corner kicks and second yellow cards will be added to the scope of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) at this summer’s World Cup.”
Other rule changes for the 2026 World Cup
The report also explains that new rules will be introduced to reduce time wasted by teams and make matches flow more quickly.
This is achieved through goal kicks, throw-ins and substitution countdowns, but teams often take longer to complete these countdowns when defending a narrow lead late in the game.
That being said, one of the main criticisms of VAR is that it slows down the game, and going forward it will only become more complex than before, so I don’t see how this will be a positive in terms of enjoying fast-paced games.
A new offside is tried.
BBC Sport reports that other new rules will soon be trialled, including a new offside law recommended by manager Arsene Wenger.
This requires a clear “day of day” between the attacker and the last defender, but the current law is often criticized because a goal is canceled if a player is just millimeters ahead of his opponent, giving him little meaningful advantage.
Measures to discourage players from covering their mouths will also be discussed following recent incidents involving Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior and Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni.
