As the World Cup moves closer to the quarterfinals, video assistant referee reviews are again drawing criticism from fans.
by BRETT SPRINKEL | The National News DeskSEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JULY 01: Referee Said Martinez checks the monitor during the VAR review on the possible penalty incident during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Belgium and Senegal at Seattle Stadium on July 01, 2026 in Seattle, Washington.
As the World Cup moves closer to the quarterfinals, video assistant referee reviews are again drawing criticism from fans who say the system is changing the feel of the tournament. VAR, short for video assistant referee, was implemented to correct mistakes that can impact games.
But in recent weeks it has also created controversy by turning some of the tournament’s biggest moments into lengthy reviews, with freeze-frame replays wiping out goals and after-the-fact red cards affecting not only the current match but the next one. TORONTO, ONTARIO - JULY 02: The big screen displays a VAR check during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Portugal and Croatia at Toronto Stadium on July 02, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario.
Supporters of the technology argue it is doing what it was designed to do by reducing human error. Critics counter that the process has replaced what should be moments of celebration with uncertainty, as referees and millions of viewers wait through slow-motion replays to determine fine margins — including whether a player’s left hand was behind the last defender before receiving a pass.
These moments included Folarin Balogun's red card, which sparked a whirlwind of drama between Team USA and Belgium and ultimately eliminated the U.S. from the tournament. The system's controversy also came out after Argentina's comeback against Egypt. Egypt called out biased decisions, which FIFA denied.
The debate has now shifted from whether VAR works to whether some rules, including offsides, should be modified to improve the pace of play and preserve the excitement of the games as the tournament enters its later stages. Austin police are searching for three suspects who they say committed a number of ATM thefts on Tuesday in Austin.
Police say the three suspects came to Austin fThe Travis County Sheriff's Office has identified both the suspects and the two people killed ina shooting early Sunday in the parking lot of a Northeast AustiThe 52-year-old Houston man fatally shot by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent earlier this week was not the target of the agency’s operation, saiGillespie County is facing a lawsuit from a woman who alleges that a former deputy with the county sexually assaulted and harrassed her while on-duty. DPS adds Sherman man wanted on sexual assault charges to Texas 10 Most Wanted listThe Texas Department of Public Safety has added a Sherman man wanted on multip
Please follow us on Google to support usUnited States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
2026 World Cup boosts Arlington tourism as semifinal nearsArlington leaders say the 2026 FIFA World Cup delivered record June hotel revenue and new global ties as the semifinal nears.
Read more »
FIFA, iShowSpeed, YouTube holding World Cup-themed Creator Cup at Central ParkFIFA is bringing the excitement of the World Cup quarterfinals to Wollman Rink at Central Park this Sunday with a Creator Cup hosted by streamer iShowSpeed.
Read more »
England Fans Confront £3,000 Parking Fees for World Cup Quarter-Final Amid Soaring CostsEngland supporters face parking charges as high as £3,000 for the World Cup quarter-final against Norway, even in designated disabled areas, while last-minute resale tickets reach up to $4,800. The article examines the exorbitant costs surrounding the match, fan reactions, and related controversies.
Read more »
World Cup history on display at Rockefeller Center as tournament nears finalWorld Cup history is on display in the heart of New York City, with a free FIFA Museum exhibition bringing trophies, jerseys and nearly a century of soccer memories to Rockefeller Center.
Read more »