VAR (Video Assistant Referee) is used at the FIFA World Cup 2026™ to review and correct clear and obvious errors in key match situations.
What VAR can review
VAR is used in four main situations:
- Goals and goal-scoring situations
- Penalty decisions
- Direct red card incidents
- Cases of mistaken identity in disciplinary actions
VAR updates for World Cup 2026™
FIFA has introduced an upgraded VAR system, including:
- Semi-automated offside technology with faster audio alerts to assistant referees
- Clear offsides (approx. 10 cm or more) flagged with minimal delay
- VAR review of corner kick decisions before the restart
- Ability to review second yellow cards
These updates aim to reduce delays and improve match flow.
How VAR affects your bets
From a betting perspective:
- Bets are settled based on the final official match result
- The result includes any changes made after VAR reviews
- If a goal is disallowed by VAR, it does not count for your bet
- If a penalty is awarded or overturned, the final confirmed decision applies
Important note
Bets are never re-settled based on temporary in-game decisions.
Only the final confirmed match result after all VAR reviews is used for settlement.