FIFA makes major VAR change for World Cup quarter-finals after controversial last-16 ties

FIFA has implemented a significant structural change to its Video Assistant Referee (VAR) operations for the remainder of the World Cup, following a series of controversial last-16 matches that sparked furious complaints from managers, players, and national federations.

From Thursday’s quarter-final between France and Morocco at Gillette Stadium onwards, VAR officials will be stationed inside the stadium for every remaining match of the tournament — a major departure from the tournament’s previous setup, which saw all VAR decisions handled centrally from the International Broadcast Centre (IBC) in Dallas, Texas.

Why the change?

The decision comes after a series of ill-tempered knockout ties that placed refereeing firmly at the centre of the tournament. The most explosive controversy erupted during Argentina’s dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Egypt, a match shrouded in VAR disputes.

Egypt had a stunning second-half goal from Mostafa Zico disallowed following a VAR review that identified a foul by Marwan Attia on Argentina defender Lisandro Martínez earlier in the attacking phase. The Egyptian Football Association has since called for an investigation into the officiating team, alleging “blatant errors” and accusing officials of failing to review key incidents.

Egypt boss Hossam Hassan did not hold back in his post-match assessment. “The referee is unfair,” he said. “He’s wasting the effort of an entire nation. The cup is directed towards Argentina.”

England manager Thomas Tuchel was also scathing about the officiating during his side’s last-16 win over Mexico, in which Jarell Quansah was sent off. “It’s not good enough,” Tuchel said. “He [the referee] can send any team out in any moment. It’s just erratic, it’s just unreliable.”

How the new system works

Previously, all VAR decisions at this summer’s World Cup were handled from FIFA’s Video Operation Room at the 45,000-square-metre International Broadcast Centre in Dallas. Under the new protocol, FIFA will place both a primary VAR official and a reserve VAR official on-site at the stadium as an added safeguard against potential technical issues.

Should there be any loss of communication between the stadium and the Dallas operations centre, the officials at the venue will be able to continue reviewing incidents without disrupting the match. The system also ensures the referee can still carry out on-field reviews at the pitchside monitor if required.

FIFA regulations state that a match cannot be suspended because of VAR technology failure. With this new setup, that scenario is effectively eliminated.

For Thursday’s France-Morocco quarter-final, Uruguayan official Leodán González will serve as the primary VAR on site, while Nicaraguan Tatiana Guzmán will act as the reserve VAR.

Collina defends officials

FIFA’s chief refereeing officer, Pierluigi Collina, has publicly defended the officials involved in the round-of-16 ties.

“Of course, constructive discussion about decisions will always be part of football, but unfounded allegations have no place in our sport,” Collina said. “Nobody can question the integrity of the FIFA World Cup match officials. When this happens, it may provoke reactions that lead to threats against them and their families. This is not right. Equally, nobody can claim that FIFA refereeing can be influenced by anyone, not even by the FIFA president.”

What lies ahead

Thursday’s France-Morocco quarter-final will be the first test of the new VAR setup. With the stakes higher than ever, FIFA will be hoping the reinforced measures ensure the focus remains firmly on the football rather than the officiating.

The winner will book a place in the World Cup semi-finals, where they will face the victor of Spain’s clash with Belgium.