Hey, forum folks! 🖐️ A few days ago we were talking about the World Cup business and the 12 groups, but now that we've seen some heart‑stopping knockout rounds, there's a topic that's been on my mind: the AI VAR that FIFA has debuted in this tournament.
I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but they’ve introduced a system of semi‑automatic play‑off with 30 cameras and an algorithm that decides in seconds . No more hand‑drawn lines or debates over "millimetres". The system marks the position of the bone, not the jersey.
Result? Over 80% of decisions in under 25 seconds... but it has also cancelled goals for a millimetric shoulder in quarters that I still don’t believe. 🤯
Here’s a photo of the central VAR in New York:
Note, this isn’t a joke: the AI proposes the decision, but the referee has the final word. However, when there’s doubt, the review on the giant screen is MANDATORY. More control or more rhythm cuts?
The case is that the average time table has changed drastically compared to 2022:
Aspect | World Cup 2022 (Qatar) | World Cup 2026 (USA/Canada/Mexico) |
|---|---|---|
Average review time | 72 seconds | 23 seconds |
Goals cancelled for offside | 17 | 12 |
Decisions corrected by the referee | 34% | 41% |
Game cuts by VAR | 1.8 per match | 0.9 per match |
Average VAR review time (seconds)
72
Qatar 2022
23
World Cup 2026
Qatar 2022
World Cup 2026
It’s clear that the game flows faster and the decisions are more precise, but... I saw a goal cancelled for Brazil in the round of 16 for a millimeter on the elbow that would have seemed to my grandfather like a robbery. 🦖
Do you think AI is ending the debate over the "human error" that we loved discussing at the pub? Or are we becoming dependent on a machine deciding if a goal is a goal?
Has AI-powered VAR made the 2026 World Cup fairer or are we losing the essence of football?
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Fact that will blow your mind: the optical tracking system has eliminated the famous VAR arm "delay". Now the footage is processed in the stadium, not in the central room in New York. That’s why decisions take as long as a well‑called penalty. 🤖⚽
Leave your opinion below. I am 50/50: I love the precision, but I miss the chaos of 5‑minute discussions among referees. 🍿
Long live football... and may AI let us live a little! 🔥⚽
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