VAR at the 2026 World Cup: How Does It Work?

Last updated: Jun 23, 2026

Table of Contents

What is VAR?

VAR (Video Assistant Referee) is a team of officials who review the on-field referee’s decisions using video, stepping in only for “clear and obvious” errors.

It covers four match-changing situations: goals, penalties, direct red cards, and mistaken identity.

The on-field referee always makes the final call after reviewing the pitchside monitor.

How does VAR work at the 2026 World Cup?

The big upgrade this tournament is advanced semi-automated offside technology, used at a World Cup for the first time.

According to FIFA’s innovation briefing, every one of the 1,248 players was 3D body-scanned so the system can track their exact limb positions and build accurate offside replays.

Clear offsides are now sent straight to the assistant referee on the touchline, who can raise the flag almost instantly.

FIFA says this speeds up decisions and reduces injury risk from play continuing after an offside.

VAR has also been handed new powers this year, confirmed by the International Football Association Board (IFAB). The headline changes are:

Set-piece fouls: VAR can now flag grappling or blocking before a corner or free-kick is taken, sending the referee to the monitor.
Second yellow cards: VAR can overturn a clearly wrong second yellow that led to a red card.
Corner kicks: A corner awarded in clear error can be reviewed, without delaying the restart.

Referees are also wearing stabilised body cameras, first trialled at the 2025 Club World Cup.

FIFA says the footage gives broadcasters a first-person view of key moments.

Can fans in the stadium watch the VAR reviews?

Yes, and this is the biggest change for fans inside the ground.

The referee now announces the outcome of every VAR review over the stadium public-address system.

After a review, the referee shows the TV-screen signal, then explains the decision out loud so the whole crowd hears it.

It is already producing memorable moments. A garbled stadium announcement during Mexico’s win over South Africa became the tournament’s first viral meme.

The stadium giant screens also play a role. Offside calls are shown as 3D reconstructions where the avatars look like the real players, according to FIFA, so spectators can see who was offside.

To be clear, you don’t watch the VAR officials at work or see their live booth feed

If you have tickets to a match, here is what to expect during a review:

Listen for the announcement: the referee names the decision over the PA after signalling the screen.
Watch the big screen: offside and goal reviews are shown as 3D graphic replays.
Expect a short pause: reviews still take time, though semi-automated offside speeds up the clear cases.

Each of the 16 stadiums has 16 optical tracking cameras generating over 150 million data points per match, FIFA confirms.

That data powers the 3D replays shown to fans and broadcasters.

Heading to a host city to watch in person?

If you are planning a trip, sort your travel early — host cities fill up fast on match days:

Mexico City: compare flights to Mexico City and find hotels in Mexico City.
New York: check flights to New York and hotels in New York.
Dallas: a key host city — track Dallas flights for the latest schedules.

You can also monitor any disruptions to your flights using the Wego flight tracker before you travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can fans hear the referee explain VAR decisions in the stadium?

Yes. The referee announces the final VAR decision over the stadium PA system after each review, a feature first trialled at the 2025 Club World Cup.

What is semi-automated offside technology?

It uses 3D scans of every player and stadium tracking cameras to detect offsides automatically. Clear cases are sent straight to the assistant referee for a faster flag.

Where can I watch the 2026 World Cup in the Middle East?

beIN SPORTS holds exclusive MENA rights to all 104 matches across TV and its TOD and beIN CONNECT streaming platforms. Coverage is available in Arabic, English, and French.

How can I watch the World Cup in India?

Zee broadcasts matches on its Unite8 Sports channels. DD Sports also airs the quarter-finals onward free-to-air.