The 2026 World Cup could see a revision of corners in VAR. In an interview with MetropolisesFIFA’s director of football, Jill Ellis, assured that the entity welcomes the possibility of assigning the new role to the video referee assistant. Still according to the former coach, if approved, it is possible that the change will also be implemented during the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Watch the full interview with Jill Ellis:
“Today there’s a lot at stake in football matches, and the margin between success and failure is so small that I think it’s important to help the referees, through the use of technology, because they can’t see everything from all angles. So, I think it’s a positive thing. I think the fans expect that too. So, yes, I imagine that what we are preparing for 2026 will be something that will also be implemented in 2027.said Jill Ellis.
The first rumors that VAR could be used on corners during the 2026 World Cup emerged after a publication in British newspaper The Telegraph. FIFA reportedly proposed the change to the IFAB, which is still analyzing the possibility of implementing the use of technology in these cases.
“I certainly think so (it’s a possibility). You see, we made a lot of effort when VAR was introduced in 2018. I wasn’t at FIFA at the time, but I know we were striving to have a high level of efficiency and technology. And certainly in 2019 we implemented VAR,” Ellis added on the matter.
If the proposal goes ahead, the rule would only be valid during the World Cup, with the possibility of also being approved for the Women’s World Cup in Brazil, in 2027. The application would fall within the changes permitted for short competitions, as established by the IFAB.
Discussions on the possibility of implementing the change will resume on January 20, 2026, when the IFAB will define the issues that will officially be on the agenda. The final decision will take place on February 28, the deadline to approve any changes valid for the World Cup.
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