VAR to intervene in corners & yellow cards? IFAB considering major changes ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup: Report

Football lawmakers set to hand VAR more power in decision-making.

Before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, football lawmakers are apparently thinking about expanding VAR’s decision-making to include penalties, corners, and second yellow cards.

What decisions Video Assistant Referee could be allowed to make?

The International Football Association Board (IFAB), which regulates football rules, may consider a “radical change” to penalties and corners, according to The Times, in which the ball is deemed “dead” if the goalie saves the spotkick and a goal cannot be scored on the rebound.

According to the report, there is “considerable support” for overturning a call in cases when a corner is granted incorrectly, but permitting VARs to interfere for second yellows is viewed as “more controversial” because it is typically a “subjective decision.”

IFAB is set to decide on whether Video Assistant Referee will be given more authority in the games

Giving the Video Assistant Referee additional authority has been discussed for years. This could probably upset some football fans. More information will be revealed at the IFAB’s annual business meeting in November.

Any new legislation might be approved at the annual general meeting in March of next year. It would take effect on June 1st, right before the World Cup the following year.

According to the article, IFAB board members would want to be persuaded that any expansion of Video Assistant Referee’s authority would not result in more delays and that video officials would need to make quick decisions.

Now, a lot of football fans will be anxiously watching the outcome of the IFAB meetings in November and March to find out whether or not Video Assistant Referee will be granted additional authority.

In any case, it is probably going to be a contentious topic, as many football fans could criticise the decision, and it could also affect the rhythm of the game during the matches.

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