Pierluigi Collina, the legendary former referee and Chair of the FIFA Referees Committee, has unveiled several critical changes to VAR and refereeing, set to be implemented by the 2026 FIFA World Cup. A primary aim is to curb timewasting that disrupts the flow of the game. During the IFAB meeting in Wales, members discussed measures like extending VAR intervention to second yellow card decisions, previously limited to straight red cards. This change addresses situations like Pierre Kalulu’s controversial second bookable offence in Serie A, correcting missed opportunities for review.
Collina highlighted the success of the recent “eight second rule” for goalkeepers as a deterrent against time delays. Building on this, the World Cup will introduce a 10-second rule for substitutions, enforcing swifter player exits. Failure to comply will delay substitute entry until the next play stoppage or after a minute. This approach, proven effective in MLS, is seen as more impactful than yellow cards.
Additionally, VAR will now assess corner kick decisions, minimizing the risk of errors during play resumptions. Collina explained that correcting decisions promptly, rather than relying on hope that no goal is scored from potentially wrongful plays, enhances the integrity and pace of the game.