Football's global governing body, FIFA, is set to introduce video assistant referee (VAR) checks for corner-kick decisions at major tournaments, including the next World Cup. The move aims to prevent crucial matches from being decided by incorrect calls from officials.
Collina's Stance on Correcting On-Field Errors
Pierluigi Collina, FIFA's head of refereeing, has publicly championed the change. Speaking in Washington, D.C. ahead of Friday's World Cup draw, the legendary former official stressed that competition results should be decided by players, not refereeing mistakes.
"I think we should all have as the objective to make correct decisions on the field of play," Collina stated. "It would be a pity if the result of a competition is decided not by what the players do on the field of play, but by an honest mistake made by the decision maker."
The 'No Delay' Principle and Natural Pauses
A key condition for the new protocol is that it must not slow down the game. Collina pointed out that there is a natural delay of 10-15 seconds after a corner is awarded, as teams organise themselves. This window provides a perfect opportunity for a swift VAR review.
"If the corner kick is wrongly given, everybody has the evidence that the start of play is wrong," he explained. "To me, it's difficult to understand, if they have the possibility to see that, why we have to hide our heads under the sand."
Premier League Precedent and IFAB Resistance
The issue gained prominence in the Premier League this season, where Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche complained after his team conceded two goals from incorrectly awarded corners. Despite the clear need, FIFA's proposal was rejected at an October meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB), football's law-making body, over concerns about added delays.
Currently, the Laws of the Game state a referee cannot change a restart decision once play has resumed. This means every corner would need a pre-emptive check, though FIFA insists it has the resources to make these decisions quickly.
Broader VAR Changes for 2026 World Cup
Alongside corner reviews, FIFA confirmed that semi-automated offside technology is likely to be used at the next World Cup, which will be hosted across the USA, Canada, and Mexico in the summer of 2026. Furthermore, there will be no strict time limit imposed on VAR checks during the tournament finals.
Collina's push represents a significant evolution in the use of technology, focusing on utilising natural breaks in play to ensure fairness without compromising the flow of the beautiful game.
