FIFA confirms VAR will check corner-kick decisions at the 2026 World Cup despite league resistance

FIFA has announced a major change to Video Assistant Referee (VAR) protocols for the 2026 World Cup, confirming that corner-kick decisions will now be subject to review.

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The move comes despite resistance from some football stakeholders and domestic leagues.

The decision was revealed following discussions by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in October.

IFAB approved VAR reviews for wrongly issued yellow cards that could escalate to red cards but rejected extending reviews to corner-kick calls.

Despite the initial rejection, FIFA has decided to implement corner-kick checks at the World Cup.

According to BBC Sport, the governing body will enforce the rule even though many domestic competitions are reluctant to adopt it.

The new VAR measure is expected to reduce errors in attacking set-piece situations and could influence match outcomes at football’s most prestigious tournament.

Critics, however, have raised concerns about the potential for increased game interruptions and the challenge of harmonising international and domestic rules.

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FIFA’s decision underscores the organisation’s commitment to innovation in officiating, even amid debate over the practical implications of expanded VAR use.