In action at the DFB game
VAR revolution? They already exist at the U17 World Cup
November 4, 2025 – 9:34 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
In the opening game of the U17 World Cup, the DFB team had to be content with a draw. This resulted in a scene that does not yet exist among the professionals.
It was a difficult task for the reigning U17 world champion right at the start of the mission to defend his title: With Colombia, the DFB selection had the toughest opponent in preliminary group G right at the start – and had to fight accordingly. In the end it was 1:1.
The German team took the lead in the first minute, but had to concede the equalizer in the second half. However, the audience saw something special.
The German national coach Marc Meister had the Colombians’ goal checked with a challenge; he suspected an offside position, but this was not the case. In the tournament, coaches are allowed to ask referees to check their decisions on goals, penalties and red cards twice per game using Football Video Support (FVS). If an objection is successful, the possibility of a challenge does not disappear. There is no normal VAR.
FIFA is continuing to test the approach at the U17 World Cup. The system had already been tested at the U17 and U20 Women’s World Cup. However, it is not a VAR replacement, as the head of the Fifa Referees Commission Pierluigi Collina emphasized: “However, it is important to understand that the FVS is not the VAR. Due to the small number of cameras used, the FVS will not be able to show what the VAR can show,” he said.
It is still unclear whether the system could one day be used in professional football as a supplement or possible further development of VAR.