Overview
- Quarter‑final matches at the 2026 World Cup produced several contested calls that relied on VAR replays and the ball contact sensor known as “snicko,” with FIFA confirming the sensor was used in at least one key goal decision.
- FIFA’s head of referees, Pierluigi Collina, said VAR must adapt to how a match is officiated and acknowledged that achieving consistent decision‑making across games is difficult.
- A technical lapse in an earlier match prevented the usual public infographic from showing after a VAR review, and FIFA said the review was completed despite the display failure, raising transparency concerns.
- Off‑field integrity problems have compounded the issue, with reports of a VAR official watching betting sites, a suspension for match‑fixing and an investigation into alleged undue influence on reviews.
- Large investments in VAR infrastructure make the system hard to reverse and raise the stakes for errors, which could increase pressure for clearer rules, better tech reliability and more visible explanations of reviews.