Watch VideoHow VAR and new 2026 Fifa World Cup technology would alter football history

While VAR has divided opinion, the technology also has the power to ensure that some of the greatest footballing injustices of past World Cups are not repeated. For all the debate surroundingVideo Assistant Referees, there is little doubt that technology has fundamentally changed the way football is officiated. What began as a tool to correct “clear and obvious errors” has evolved into a far-reaching system capable of detecting the tightest offside calls, determining whether the ball has crossed the goal line, identifying unseen fouls, reviewing dangerous challenges and helping officials calculate more accurate added time to discourage time-wasting.

At the 2026 Fifa World Cup, the sport’s governing body will take that evolution a step further. Connected match balls containing sensors will provide real-time data to assist officials in determining ball contact and offside situations. VAR review powers have also been expanded to include red cards arising from a clearly incorrect second yellow card and incorrectly awarded corner kicks, while time-wasting countdowns will also be introduced.

While modern technology has helped eliminate many officiating mistakes, it also raises an intriguing question: how different would World Cup history look if VAR had existed decades ago? Several of the tournament’s most iconic and controversial moments would almost certainly have had very different outcomes. In arguably the most infamous moment in football history, Argentina captain Diego Maradona leapt above England goalkeeper Peter Shilton and punched the ball into the net during their World Cup quarter-final. Referee Ali Bin Nasser and his assistants missed the handball and awarded the goal.