FIFA has introduced a significant change to Video Assistant Referee (VAR) operations for the remainder of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, moving VAR officials into stadiums for every remaining match following growing criticism of officiating in the knockout stages.The new protocol comes into effect from Thursday’s quarter-final between France and Morocco and marks a notable change in how the tournament’s review system is run. Until now, every VAR decision was handled remotely from FIFA’s Video Operation Room at the International Broadcast Center (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 comes after a series of high-profile controversies have put refereeing standards under intense scrutiny.
How FIFA’s new VAR system will work
Under the revised protocol, FIFA will station a main VAR official and a reserve VAR official inside each stadium for the remainder of the tournament.Previously, all reviews were done only from the International Broadcast Center in Dallas, where officials monitored each game 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 center.For the quarter-final between France and Morocco, Uruguayan official Leodan González was appointed as the main VAR, while Nicaragua’s Tatiana Guzmán served as the reserve VAR at the Boston Stadium.
France’s Kylian Mbappe talks to 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)
If communication with the Dallas hub is disrupted, officials inside the stadium can continue to review incidents, allowing the referee to conduct pitchside checks without disrupting the match.FIFA regulations already state that a match cannot be suspended due to a failure of the VAR technology. The additional site officials are intended to minimize the risk of technical issues affecting matches during decisive stages of the competition.Thursday’s match also featured an experienced all-Argentine on-field officiating team, led by referee Facundo Tello with assistant referees Juan Pablo Belatti and Gabriel Chade, with Darío Herrera serving as the fourth official and Christian Navarro as reserve assistant referee.
The change follows criticism after the controversial Round of 16 matches
The adjustment to the operation comes after several knockout matches that have generated widespread debate over the referee’s decisions.Argentina’s dramatic 3-2 win over Egypt proved highly controversial. Egypt manager Hossam Hassan launched an extraordinary attack on French referee François Letexier after the match, accusing him of favoring the reigning world champions.“The referee is unfair, God is enough for me and the best manager of affairs. He wasted the efforts of the whole country. The cup is aimed at Argentina,” Hassan told reporters.“It was clearly a rigged game and the whole world saw it.”Egypt forward Mostafa Ziko echoed those complaints after the defeat.“The referee is not good, he is not fair. His injustice is clear. He persecuted us from the start of the game. He did not 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 criticized the officiating standard after his team’s Round of 16 win over Mexico, where defender Jarell Quansah was sent off.“It’s not good,” Tuchel said.“Hey! [the referee] can send any team at any time. It’s not good enough. It’s not good, it’s unreliable in matches.”“Now we have two fourth officials who just yell at you if you put one foot out of a coaching zone. It’s not good enough.”A series of controversial decisions has sparked debate among supporters, with some taking to social media to make unfounded allegations that some matches were rigged.
Collina defended the officials as FIFA strengthened the referee system
Despite the criticism, FIFA strongly supports its referees.Chief refereeing officer Pierluigi Collina has publicly defended the integrity of World Cup officials while acknowledging that refereeing decisions will always remain part of the larger conversation in football.“Of course, constructive discussion about decisions is always part of football, but baseless allegations have no place in our game,” Collina said.“No one can question the integrity of match officials at the FIFA World Cup. If this happens, it may provoke reactions that lead to threats against them and their families. This is not right.”“Similarly, no one can say that a FIFA referee can be influenced by anyone, not even the FIFA president.”FIFA did not link the introduction of on-site VAR officials directly to any individual incident, maintaining that the revised protocol was designed to provide greater operational security rather than change officiating procedures.As the World Cup enters its final stages, football’s governing body will hope that the improved VAR structure will continue to focus attention on the games themselves as the race for the trophy continues through the quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals.