VAR’s Impact on the World Cup

VAR was never expected to be the main attraction.

Initially, the goal was to enhance the game.

However, with just four matches remaining in the World Cup, the video assistant referee has emerged as a contentious figure—its loudest critic, and, depending on who you ask, perhaps its biggest antagonist.

The narratives surrounding this World Cup were supposed to center on Messi’s ambition for back-to-back wins, Spain’s skillful play, France’s powerhouse status, or England’s pursuit to end a decades-long championship drought. Yet, far too often, viewers have found themselves watching referees review footage and listen intently as decisions are made from a distant room filled with screens.

This technology was intended to eradicate clear mistakes. Instead, it has sparked endless debates over minute details.

In many respects, VAR is functioning as it was designed to.

New advancements have rightfully overturned goals that, in the grand scheme, weren’t pivotal. FIFA employed numerous tracking cameras and innovative ball technology to pinpoint offsides to the minutest degree, accurately identifying infractions down to inches and even toes. According to the laws, these calls were justified, yet they have also created some of the most agonizing moments of the tournament.

Take Iran, for instance; they believed they had secured a place in the knockout stage with a late goal, only for Shoja Khalilzadeh to be deemed offside by the tiniest margin. Similarly, Croatia thought they had thwarted Portugal’s advance until VAR indicated that a ball had merely brushed Igor Matanovic’s hair, snatching away their moment after a lengthy review.

On the flip side, VAR has corrected significant errors, diminished claims of bias among referees, and bolstered accountability in a sport that holds great significance for many nations. Most would agree on the necessity of overturning a clear offside goal or rectifying a blatant dive.

But the sport has always thrived amidst imperfection. Human error is part of the narrative and its most memorable instances. Just think back to Maradona’s “Hand of God” or Frank Lampard’s “Ghost Goal.”

VAR would have forever altered those scenarios, as soccer now grapples with questions about minute details and slow-motion replays instead of relying on immediate observation.

Some decisions have profound implications, while others seem to entirely change outcomes.

When Switzerland faced Argentina in the quarter-finals, Briel Embolo received a second yellow card for simulation just minutes after his team’s equalizer shifted the game’s momentum.

“Today’s result wasn’t ideal,” commented Swiss coach Murat Yakin. “We were impacted by the referee’s error… VAR and its regulations seem unnecessary. It feels unjust.”

The current mistaken identity ruling allows FIFA to scrutinize alleged simulations under VAR’s oversight. In Embolo’s situation, the ruling was likely accurate. Yet, instances like this are frequent throughout matches; imposing penalties for every exaggerated fall could diminish the game’s integrity.

Instead of focusing on Argentina reaching their seventh semi-final, discussions shifted to how the reigning champions once again benefited from a favorable VAR ruling.

Egypt’s coach Hossam Hassan accused FIFA of unfair conduct following his team’s contentious exit in the round of 16 against Argentina. Meanwhile, four-time champions Germany faced elimination in the round of 32 after Jonathan Tarr’s late goal was negated by VAR. Ghana was left without a clear penalty in their shocking defeat to England, while Belgium advanced past Senegal with a comeback.

Yet, VAR’s most significant blunder may belong to Folarin Balogun, whose red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina generated international turmoil, political discussions, and a FIFA appeal that even attracted President Donald Trump’s attention. Belgium faced backlash after Balogun’s suspension was lifted ahead of their Round of 16 match. They used this moment to motivate themselves and went on to defeat the US 4-1, even playfully imitating Trump’s famous dance.

VAR has morphed from a tool that affects matches to a central player in global headlines.

As the uproar continued, FIFA adjusted its review protocols halfway through the tournament, shifting from a centralized operation to ensuring that VAR personnel were present at all venues.

FIFA’s head of refereeing, Pierluigi Collina, stood by the integrity of match officials, dismissing conspiracy theories and public criticism. However, the governing body recognized the urgent need to bolster confidence in the process.

Ironically, all this controversy benefits business.

Every contentious review captures public attention, igniting discussions from London to Buenos Aires. The drama has firmly placed the World Cup in the spotlight.

Like it or not, VAR has transformed into football’s ultimate reality show.

With only four games left, the outcomes for the top four teams in the FIFA rankings might hinge more on referees equipped with headsets than on the legendary players shaping their own legacies on the field.