2026 World Cup to Feature Groundbreaking VAR Corner Reviews Amidst Widespread Opposition

FIFA is moving forward with plans to implement Video Assistant Referee (VAR) checks specifically for corner kicks at the upcoming 2026 World Cup. This decision comes despite significant resistance from domestic football leagues and a rejection of the idea for broader application by the International Football Association Board (IFAB).

During an October meeting, IFAB, the sport’s law-making body, did reach a consensus to expand VAR’s scope to include incorrectly issued second yellow cards that lead to a player’s dismissal. However, FIFA’s proposal to extend VAR reviews to corners was not endorsed. This means the world football governing body will need to establish a dedicated trial for the event hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Millenium TV understands that while these measures will be further discussed at IFAB’s January gathering, FIFA has a track record of independently trialing new protocols and technologies in its major competitions. Previous examples include semi-automated offside technology and public announcements of VAR decisions by referees. FIFA’s head of referees, Pierluigi Collina, has openly advocated for this change as part of a comprehensive review of VAR procedures, expressing a desire to encompass any error that VAR can quickly identify. Collina has previously referenced an incident in the Euro 2016 final where a wrongly awarded free-kick nearly resulted in a goal.

Domestic leagues, however, are largely opposed to the expansion of VAR to corner kicks, citing concerns over increased match delays and significant resource demands. Officials, including Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham, have voiced their reservations. The review of wrongly issued second yellow cards is expected to be approved for the next season, primarily because such incidents are infrequent, unlike corner kicks, which occur roughly 10 times per match in leagues such as the Premier League.

A key challenge for domestic leagues lies in resources; unlike FIFA, which can deploy a large team of video referees for its flagship tournament, leagues often operate with far fewer personnel. The 2022 World Cup, for instance, saw up to five individuals in the VAR room for group-stage matches, compared to typical domestic setups with just two. Furthermore, FIFA can ensure optimal camera placement and utilize advanced technologies like the connected Adidas match ball, which instantly identifies the last touch in close calls—capabilities largely unavailable to domestic competitions.

Implementing corner kick reviews would necessitate every league using VAR to check these incidents, from the Scottish Premiership to the second divisions of major European leagues. This would inevitably lead to substantial additional delays, as these leagues lack the means to make quick and consistent decisions. Given these obstacles, FIFA has been unable to secure IFAB approval for the change, and as such, appears set to conduct its own trial at the forthcoming World Cup.

Under the fundamental Laws of the Game, a referee cannot alter a restart decision once play has resumed, meaning every corner would technically require review, even if the majority are clear-cut. FIFA is confident in its ability to handle this volume of decisions swiftly, thanks to its extensive resources—from VAR personnel to camera setups and ball technology—marking a notable expansion from VAR’s current protocol focusing solely on goals, penalties, red cards, and mistaken identity. Millenium TV can confirm that at the 2026 World Cup, corner kick awards are poised to join this list of reviewable actions.