VAR stands for Video Assistant Referee; an instant-replay system.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup officially comes to a close on Sunday, July 19 as Spain takes on defending champions Argentina. But if you’ve been watching this tournament at all, you’ll notice that during a match, a group of referees checks video feeds from different camera angles. If they notice that the on-field referee may have made a significant error, they can review the play and communicate with the referee.
When is VAR Used?
VAR is mainly used for four different situations.
Goals: Was there an offside, foul, or handball before the goal?
Penalty kicks: Should a penalty have been awarded or not?
Red cards: Did a player commit an offense serious enough for a red card?
Mistaken identity: Did the referee punish the wrong player?
Outcomes
The VAR officials tell the referee that the video shows a clear, factual answer. For example, if a player was offside.
For murkier cases, the referee goes to a screen beside the field and watches the replay from various angles before making the final decision. The on-field referee has the final say. VAR does not review every questionable foul or small mistake, it’s an intervention only in the case of a “clear and obvious error” involving an important decision.
Additional World Cup Coverage
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