FIFA to Adopt Updated VAR System for the 2026 World Cup

FIFA will introduce advanced semi‑automated offside detection for video assistant referees (VAR) at the upcoming World Cup, a move that should speed decisions and allow assistants to raise the flag without waiting for a play to unfold, BBC Sport reports.

A real‑time audio alert will notify the assistant if a player is more than 10 cm offside.

Earlier trials at the Club World Cup and Intercontinental Cup only warned officials when a player was over 50 cm offside.

The official will still decide when to raise the flag and stop play. They may keep the flag down if they suspect a malfunction, but FIFA says the system includes failsafe measures to prevent errors.

The technology cannot yet detect the closest offsides, and it has limitations when players are on the ground or when several are very close together.

It can only be used for positional offside, not for subjective calls that require judgment about a player’s interference with an opponent without touching the ball.

FIFA hopes the new system will reduce frustration for supporters and players and lower the risk of injury from unnecessary play when an offside flag is about to be raised.

In May 2025, Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi was placed in an induced coma after colliding with a post when the assistant delayed raising an offside flag.

FIFA also confirmed that life‑like, AI‑enabled 3D avatars of every player will be created to improve decision accuracy.

This will involve digitally scanning all 1,248 players in the 26‑man squads of the 48 teams. Each player will enter a chamber for a one‑second scan, which will be done once during their pre‑tournament photo shoot.

As a result, enhanced, clearer offside animations will be used at the World Cup.

James Agberebi

James is a sport content creator and also does analysis on sports. Also, James has covered international matches involving both Nigeria’s men and women national teams. Facebook : James Agberebi