VAR at the 2026 World Cup: The innovations at the World Cup

Time play and sending offs are also affected

More power for the VAR – innovations for the 2026 World Cup

Spectators will have to prepare for some changes at the 2026 World Cup. The VAR is allowed to intervene more frequently, and time play should also be prevented more strongly.

For the first time, 48 nations will take part in the 2026 World Cup; the USA, Canada and Mexico will be the largest World Cup in history to date, measured in terms of the number of participants and games. Not only does the mode change, but also a lot on the pitch. FIFA has made changes particularly to the powers of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR, video assistant or video referee).

The International Football Association Board (Ifab) precisely defines the game situations in which VAR can be activated across all competitions. Until the very end, the VAR checked goals as they occurred, (possible) red cards, (possible) penalties and player mix-ups. However, the Ifab passed several rule changes in February that will take effect at the start of the 2026 World Cup.

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In the future, the VAR will also draw attention to incorrectly given corners. This should be done in real time so as not to disrupt the flow of the game if possible. It is still unclear whether this regulation will also apply in the Bundesliga from the new season. With this measure, Ifab leaves the decision about whether to introduce it to the organizers of the individual competitions.

What is also new is that the VAR can check the second yellow card for yellow-red cards, provided the referee on the field has shown it. The video assistant may not intervene if the on-field referee has not shown a second yellow card to a player who has already been warned.

FIFA itself has also revised the yellow suspensions. In the past, a player was suspended for the following game after his second yellow card. In 2002, this meant that DFB professional Michael Ballack missed the final because he was suspended. As a result, the rule was introduced that the number of yellow cards collected would be reset after the quarter-finals.

Essentially, the previous mechanics remain the same: a player is banned for a game after receiving two yellow cards, but the number of cards collected is reset twice during the course of the tournament: the first time after the three group games, and a second time after the quarter-finals. FIFA introduced this change because of the additional round of 16.