VAR, FIFA and Germany
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VAR has changed how soccer is officiated and it has new powers at the 2026 World Cup. Here is how the video review system works.
The video assistant referee (VAR) is one of the most controversial aspects of soccer today. At the 2026 FIFA World Cup, it will again take center stage, providing the final word on many of each match's most controversial calls. But how exactly does VAR work?
UEFA has announced that more detailed VAR explanations will be part of officiating changes introduced at this summer’s European Championship in an attempt to improve clarity around decisions. Big screens in stadiums will be used to communicate the ...
We’re just one game into the FIFA World Cup 2026 but the conversation is already about VAR. In the Mexico vs South Africa game on Thursday night, where three red cards were shown, VAR assisted with the second red card of the day. South Africa’s Themba Zwane was sent off by referee Wilton Sampaio after checking replays on the screen.
VAR overturned an offside decision after ruling there was a slight flick on the ball by Sweden's Alexander Isak, thanks to some technology in the ball.
Germany's hopes of advancing in the FIFA World Cup 2026 were dashed by a contentious VAR decision during their match against Paraguay. The incident has drawn attention to the interpretation of the rules regarding goalkeeper protection.
Arsenal’s last-gasp victory at Newcastle became controversial in the first half when a penalty was awarded and then withdrawn. A few minutes later, a Newcastle goal was allowed to stand despite Arsenal complaints. Arsenal were probably right to feel ...
The video assistant referee has not yet been used in this year’s Carabao Cup, but it will feature in this week’s semi-finals and, for the first time in English football, in-stadium VAR announcements will be trialled. The idea is to provide greater ...
Howard Webb has backed VAR’s controversial decision to rule out Virgil van Dijk’s goal against Man City, describing the verdict as ‘not unreasonable’. Van Dijk headed home what he thought was an equaliser after 38 minutes as Liverpool faced title ...
