Football’s rulemakers have approved changes that will expand the use of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) and increase the use of visible countdowns ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The decisions come as part of a broader effort to standardize officiating practices, improve clarity for players and coaches, and enhance how time and reviews are managed during matches.
While VAR has been a part of major international tournaments for several years, its role at the 2026 World Cup is set to grow. The changes focus on giving officials clearer guidance on when VAR can intervene and how its recommendations are applied. The intention is to support the referee on the pitch with more structured use of video, particularly in situations involving potential clear and obvious errors in key match incidents such as goals, penalties, direct red cards, and cases of mistaken identity.
The extended powers do not replace the authority of the on-field referee, who remains the final decision-maker. Instead, they are designed to ensure that potential errors in crucial moments are more consistently identified and reviewed. The changes are also expected to include more formalized procedures for how communication between the referee and VAR officials is handled during a match, with an emphasis on efficiency and minimizing unnecessary delays.
Another notable adjustment involves increased use of visible countdowns in stadiums. These countdowns are aimed at making timekeeping more transparent for everyone involved. They may be used in specific restart situations or to signal designated time windows for certain match processes, helping to reduce confusion over how much time is left for particular phases of play or administrative tasks carried out by officials.
The introduction of clearer countdown mechanisms is aligned with a wider push to make the management of match time more understandable to players, coaches, and spectators. This includes creating more predictable frameworks for when the ball is expected to be put back into play and how much time is allowed for certain stoppages.
These law changes will be applied at the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by multiple countries in North America. Organizers and governing bodies intend to use the tournament to showcase a more standardized and transparent approach to officiating. Domestic leagues and other competitions around the world may choose to adopt the same interpretations and protocols, but their implementation outside the World Cup will depend on decisions made by each competition’s governing authority.
Full technical details of the new VAR guidelines and countdown procedures will be contained in the official laws and competition regulations circulated to national associations, referees, and tournament organizers in advance of the World Cup.
