How VAR Has Changed the World Cup: Technology in Modern Football

Technology has become an integral part of football refereeing, with Video Assistant Refereeing (VAR) leading the revolution. Since its introduction at the 2018 World Cup, VAR has altered how matches are officiated, decisions are made, and fans experience drama.

Evolution of Sem-Automated Offside

For the 2026 World Cup, FIFA is deploying the latest iteration of semi-automated offside technology (SAOT). Using dedicated cameras under the stadium roof tracking 29 data points on each player's body 50 times per second, the system automatically detects offsides in seconds.

A sensor inside the official match ball transmits data 500 times per second, letting VAR officials pinpoint the exact moment the ball is kicked.

The Pros and Cons of VAR

While VAR has significantly increased the percentage of correct decisions in matches, it remains a subject of debate:

• Pros: Reduces major officiating errors, detects off-the-ball violent conduct, and ensures correct penalty calls.
• Cons: Disrupts match flow, leads to long delays, and sometimes dampens the immediate celebration of goals.

As VAR continues to evolve, the goal is to make the decision-making process faster and more transparent to fans in the stadium and watching on TV.