FIFA has introduced a significant change to its Video Assistant Referee (VAR) operations for the remainder of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, moving VAR officials into stadiums for every remaining match following mounting criticism over officiating during the knockout stages.The new protocol came into effect from Thursday’s quarter-final between France and Morocco and marks a notable adjustment to how the tournament’s review system is being operated. Until now, every VAR decision had been handled remotely from FIFA’s Video Operation Room at the International Broadcast Centre (IBC) in Dallas, Texas.The governing body insists the change is designed to strengthen operational reliability rather than alter the decision-making process, but it arrives after a series of high-profile controversies placed refereeing standards under intense scrutiny.
How FIFA’s new VAR system will work
Under the revised protocol, FIFA will station both a primary VAR official and a reserve VAR official inside every stadium for the rest of the tournament.Previously, all reviews were conducted exclusively from the International Broadcast Centre in Dallas, where officials monitored every match remotely. While the Dallas hub remains the primary location for VAR operations, the newly deployed on-site officials will act as an additional safeguard should any communication or technical problems arise between the stadium and the central operations centre.For the quarter-final between France and Morocco, Uruguayan official Leodan González was appointed as the primary VAR, while Nicaragua’s Tatiana Guzmán served as the reserve VAR at Boston Stadium.
France’s Kylian Mbappe speaks with Referee Facundo Tello, right, and assistant referees Juan Pablo Belatti, left, and Gabriel Chade, all three from Argentina, during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between France and Morocco in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Thursday, July 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Should communication with the Dallas hub be interrupted, the officials inside the stadium will be able to continue reviewing incidents, allowing the referee to carry out pitchside reviews without disrupting the match.FIFA regulations already state that a match cannot be suspended because of a VAR technology failure. The additional on-site officials are therefore intended to minimise the risk of technical issues affecting matches during the decisive stages of the competition.Thursday’s match also featured an experienced all-Argentine on-field officiating team, led by referee Facundo Tello alongside assistant referees Juan Pablo Belatti and Gabriel Chade, with Darío Herrera serving as fourth official and Christian Navarro as reserve assistant referee.
Change follows criticism after controversial Round of 16 matches
The operational adjustment comes after several knockout matches generated widespread debate over refereeing decisions.Argentina’s dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Egypt proved particularly contentious. Egypt manager Hossam Hassan launched an extraordinary attack on French referee François Letexier after the match, accusing him of favouring the reigning world champions.“The referee is unfair, God is sufficient for me and the best disposer of affairs. He’s wasting the effort of an entire nation. The cup is directed towards Argentina,” Hassan told reporters.“This was clearly a rigged match and the whole world saw it.”Egypt forward Mostafa Ziko echoed those complaints after the defeat.“The referee wasn’t good, he was unfair. His injustice was clear. He persecuted us from the start of the match. He doesn’t want us to win.”
Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan argues with referee Francois Letexier, of France, during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
England manager Thomas Tuchel also criticised the standard of officiating following his side’s Round of 16 victory over Mexico, during which defender Jarell Quansah was sent off.“It’s not good enough,” Tuchel said.“He [the referee] can send any team out in any moment. It’s just not good enough. It’s just erratic, it’s just unreliable in matches.”“Now we have two fourth officials who just scream at you if you put one foot out of a coaching zone. It’s just not good enough.”The string of controversial decisions fuelled debate among supporters, with some taking to social media to make unfounded allegations that certain matches had been manipulated.
Collina defends officials as FIFA reinforces refereeing system
Despite the criticism, FIFA has firmly backed its referees.Chief refereeing officer Pierluigi Collina publicly defended the integrity of World Cup officials while acknowledging that refereeing decisions will always remain part of football’s wider conversation.“Of course, constructive discussion about decisions will always be part of football, but unfounded allegations have no place in our sport,” Collina said.“Nobody can question the integrity of the FIFA World Cup match officials. When this happens, it may provoke reactions that lead to threats against them and their families. This is not right.”“Equally, nobody can claim that FIFA refereeing can be influenced by anyone, not even by the FIFA president.”FIFA has not linked the introduction of on-site VAR officials directly to any individual incident, maintaining that the revised protocol is designed to provide greater operational security rather than alter officiating procedures.With the World Cup now entering its final stages, football’s governing body will hope the enhanced VAR structure keeps attention focused on the matches themselves as the race for the trophy continues through the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final.
