FIFA is preparing to introduce a significant change to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system at the 2026 World Cup, pressing forward despite early resistance from football stakeholders and domestic leagues.

According to reports, the world football governing body plans to expand VAR’s responsibilities to include checks on corner-kick decisions during next year’s tournament.

This proposed adjustment marks a shift from the stance of the International Football Association Board (IFAB), which met in October and agreed to consider broader VAR applications—such as reviewing incorrectly issued yellow cards that could result in a red—but initially rejected the idea of extending VAR oversight to corner kicks.

However, BBC Sport reports that FIFA is set on implementing the corner-kick review rule specifically for the World Cup, even though many domestic leagues are reluctant to adopt the change across their competitions.

The move signals FIFA’s intention to refine officiating accuracy on the biggest stage, though it remains to be seen how players, coaches, fans, and officials will react to the increased involvement of VAR.

As anticipation builds for the 2026 World Cup, this development is likely to spark fresh debates about the role of technology in football.