FIFA to Consider Major VAR Rule Changes Ahead of 2026 World Cup

FIFA is reportedly preparing to expand the scope of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system — a move that could dramatically reshape how key moments are officiated in elite football, according to a report by The Times.

The proposed changes would allow VAR to intervene in three previously untouchable areas: corner kicks, second yellow cards, and retaken penalty kicks. These additions are believed to have garnered strong internal support within FIFA, as they are expected to ease pressure on referees and reduce the number of controversial or incorrect decisions.

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) — the body responsible for overseeing the Laws of the Game — has already initiated the procedural steps to explore these changes. The proposals will be formally discussed during IFAB’s annual business meeting in November, with a final vote set for the Annual General Meeting in March 2025.