Semi-automated offside is coming for the World Cup. Here’s how one referee uses it
Micheal Barwegan is part of an all-Canadian crew at this World Cup, and says the new offside system makes his job easier in some ways
‘It can all end with one bad game’: the highs and lows of a World Cup referee
Even the finest officials miss out on a place at the finals and for those who do get the nod, decisions can make or break a dream
Relentless rise of VAR, new red card offences and more: those new World Cup rules in full
2026 tournament will be the biggest, longest and most expensive – and the most intricately refereed – ever seen
May 2026
Gathered around a laptop, the USMNT create their World Cup journey’s first memeable moment
MLS lobbying Ifab to explore stopping clock for pauses in play
Uefa will not follow Fifa’s lead on red cards for mouth-covering or walk-offs
Mbeumo handball decision was wrong, Howard Webb tells Nottingham Forest
Iheanacho’s late VAR penalty hands Celtic a dramatic comeback victory at Motherwell
Howard Webb praises VAR process in ruling out West Ham equaliser against Arsenal
Premier League set to reject extended powers for VAR next season
West Ham to lodge complaint with referee chiefs over disallowed goal against Arsenal
Arsène Wenger’s ‘daylight offside rule’ is on trial in Canada. Will it work?
March 2026
Referees get a hard time but they have got the big calls right in the past couple of weeks
Infantino suggests players covering mouths when addressing opponents could be sent off
February 2026
Football’s rulemakers to launch review of VAR and plan for Vinícius law
The new rules are to be added before the World Cup, with corners and second yellow cards now allowed to be checked
January 2026
Mature decision to deny Manchester City a penalty for handball sets example for referees
Chris Foy
VARs will intervene on second yellows and corners after football law changes
December 2025
‘They don’t make it easy’: Moyes frustrated by PGMO reluctance to explain decisions
David Moyes, the Everton manager, has criticised the inconsistency of referees after Fulham were awarded a penalty against Nottingham Forest
Angry Eddie Howe claims officials denied Newcastle a ‘stonewall’ penalty
Eddie Howe said Trevoh Chalobah’s challenge on Anthony Gordon was ‘a clear penalty’ as Chelsea fought back to snatch a 2-2 draw at St James’ Park
Collina in favour of VAR rulings on corners at World Cup as long as there is ‘no delay’
Pierluigi Collina has said he would be in favour of the use of VAR to determine whether corners have been correctly awarded at the World Cup next summer
