The problem with VAR at the 2026 World Cup is not the technology, but who explains it

The penultimate round From 16 matches in World Cup 2026 The match between Argentina and Egypt was not only distinguished by exceptional goals, wonderful saves and loyal fans of their teams. The match also sparked one of the most widely discussed controversies around The video assistant referee system known as VARa technology designed to help field officials make fairer decisions, but its use has been criticized for favoring certain teams.

Egypt exited the tournament with a 3-2 loss to its guest ArgentinaAfter being ahead by two goals to one. Egyptian Football Association Argue so “Failure to use VAR correctly” affected several refereeing decisions which affected the final result. As a result, it lodged a formal protest with FIFA demanding an investigation into the alleged discrepancies.

The Egyptian Football Association stressed, in a statement published on social media, that “the Egyptian Football Association cannot remain silent regarding the refereeing decisions that were observed during the Argentina match.” Many specialized experts and analysts, locally and internationally, pointed to controversial arbitration incidents that affected the course of the match. “This underscores the importance of maintaining the highest standards of integrity, fairness and transparency in arbitration, especially in a tournament of the size and importance of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.”

Similar complaints – such as goals disallowed for offside that were not flagged on the pitch – have been a constant throughout this year’s World Cup. Some critics argue that despite the use of technology, such plays are judged differently with the clear intention of benefiting specific national teams. Others argue that VAR, in addition to disrupting the flow of the game, is a tool that can be used to fine-tune refereeing decisions, again to favor certain teams.

In the midst of these discussions, several questions arise. Can VAR technology alone ensure fair decision-making? Do the differences stem from the limitations of the system or from its misuse? Are all the referees participating in the 2026 World Cup really trained to use this aid?

VAR was first used at the World Cup during the 2018 tournament in Russia, after being incorporated into the Laws of the Game as a “support tool for the on-pitch refereeing team”. According to FIFA. Since then, the system has been implemented in more than 100 tournaments around the world, including the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The platform has access to 42 broadcast cameras, eight of which provide super slow-motion footage and four of which provide super slow-motion footage. In addition, the system has access to broadcasts from cameras that use semi-automated offside detection technology, as well as all cameras from the host FIFA network.

All this information is available to a refereeing team consisting of a video assistant referee and three assistants, who individually review different angles to make a decision in specific situations where VAR could intervene. Any anomalies or potential violations are reported by the VAR to the main referee, who receives on-field footage to assess the potential violation.

In the previous two World Cups, VAR assisted head referees in reviewing goals and violations that led to a goal being scored; Decisions relating to penalty kicks and the actions leading up to them; Direct red cards; And cases of mistaken identity.

to This version of the World CupFIFA has added new cases eligible for review. In principle, VAR can now intervene to correct clearly erroneous second yellow cards and prevent unfair dismissals. In addition, the system helps detect blocking, pushing, offside or offensive fouls before a free kick or corner kick is taken.

Armando Archundía, a former Mexican World Cup referee, adds in an interview with WIRED en Español that features have also been integrated to detect violations related to the so-called Pristiani Vinicius rule, which punishes players with a direct red card for covering their mouth with their hand, arm or shirt during a confrontation, as well as to prevent confusion between a corner kick and a goal kick.