FIFA plans to implement Video Assistant Referee checks for the awarding of corner kicks at the 2026 World Cup, despite rejection by domestic leagues. The governing body aims to trial this expansion alongside reviews for second yellow cards, following an October IFAB meeting. Pierluigi Collina, FIFA's head of referees, supports broadening VAR to address quick-identifiable errors.
FIFA is set to press ahead with VAR checks on corner kicks for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, even as domestic leagues oppose the idea due to concerns over delays and resources. At an October meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB), which sets the laws of the game, there was agreement to expand VAR to cover incorrectly shown second yellow cards leading to reds, but the corner review proposal was rejected. This means FIFA must create its own trial for the tournament, with further discussions planned for the January IFAB meeting.
Pierluigi Collina has advocated for the change as part of a wider VAR protocol review, stating that "any error that can be quickly identified by the VAR could potentially be communicated." He cited the Euro 2016 final, where Portugal were wrongly awarded a free-kick for handball in extra time that nearly led to a goal, as an example of avoidable mistakes. Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche expressed frustration over his team's conceded goals from wrongly awarded corners earlier this season, highlighting the issue's impact.
Leagues worry about added delays, with an average of 10 corners per Premier League match. Domestic setups typically have two VAR officials, compared to five at the 2022 World Cup group stages. FIFA benefits from advanced resources, including connected Adidas ball technology to identify last touches and sufficient cameras for quick decisions—features unavailable lower down the tiers. Under the trial, every corner would be reviewed by VAR before being taken, as referees cannot alter restarts once play resumes. This would extend VAR's current scope of goals, penalties, red cards, and mistaken identity, potentially reshaping officiating at the highest level.