Pierluigi Collina, FIFA’s head of referees, has insisted that using VAR (video assistant referee) to review corner kicks will not disrupt the flow of football matches. The proposal, which has drawn mixed reactions from domestic leagues, is set to be trialed at the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.

VAR and Corners: Why the Debate Exists

The idea of introducing VAR to check corner kick decisions has been met with skepticism in domestic competitions. Many leagues rejected the concept at an October International Football Association Board (IFAB) meeting, citing concerns over delays and disruption. IFAB, which determines the laws of the game, maintains strict guidelines on how and when technology can be used.

Despite these concerns, Collina argues that corner reviews are a logical extension of VAR. He highlighted that when a corner is awarded, there is a natural pause of 10-15 seconds as teams set up for the kick. This delay, he said, provides enough time to review the decision without affecting the match’s rhythm.

“The main criteria is no delay. With corners, there is a physiological delay because when a corner is given, normally you wait until the two centre-backs come up,” Collina explained at a briefing in Washington DC.
“It normally takes 10-15 seconds to get the attackers ready. In these 10-15 seconds, if the corner kick is wrongly given, everybody has the evidence that the start of play is wrong.”

Collina Advocates for Accuracy Over Tradition

Collina emphasized the importance of ensuring correct decisions on the field, arguing that technology should support referees in avoiding critical errors that could influence match outcomes.

“It would be a pity if the result of a competition is decided not by what the players do on the field of play, but by an honest mistake made by the decision-maker,” he said.
“This is what convinced us 13, 14 years ago to start thinking how to support referees with technology. So if we can get this, to me, it’s positive.”

The veteran Italian referee, who retired from active officiating in 2005, has long been a proponent of using technology to improve decision-making accuracy in football.

Mixed Reactions from Football Authorities

Not all football officials are convinced. Mark Bullingham, chief executive of The Football Association and IFAB board member, has voiced opposition to VAR corner reviews, arguing that the change could unnecessarily complicate domestic competitions.

Nonetheless, FIFA plans to move forward with trials at the 2026 World Cup, aiming to see whether the system can reliably correct incorrectly awarded corner kicks without affecting the pace of the game.

VAR Expansion and Future Discussions

This initiative is part of a broader effort to expand VAR’s role in football. At the October IFAB meeting, delegates approved the use of VAR for incorrectly shown second yellow cards leading to a red card, indicating a willingness to extend the technology’s applications in high-stakes situations.

Further discussions on VAR corner reviews are scheduled for the next IFAB meeting in January 2026. Collina reiterated that the objective is simple: to ensure accurate and fair decisions on the field, benefiting players, referees, and fans alike.

“We discuss and we will see what will be the outcome because I think the objective would be worth it,” he said.

As football continues to embrace technology, the potential introduction of VAR for corners could mark another significant evolution in how matches are officiated worldwide.