FIFA makes VAR change for World Cup semifinals amid debated refereeing decisions
FIFA makes VAR change for World Cup semifinals amid debated refereeing decisions
Andrew Gamble, Chiara Fiorillo Tue, July 14, 2026 at 6:56 PM UTC
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Ivan Barton will be the referee for France versus Spain (Image: Getty Images)
FIFA has opted to station VAR officials at match venues for the World Cup semi-finals after facing backlash over refereeing and contentious calls.
The World Cup quarterfinals were marked by numerous disputed officiating decisions, including during England's victory over Norway and Lionel Messi's Argentina once again receiving favorable treatment from match officials. In response to these widely contested rulings, FIFA has enhanced its operations to guarantee technical reliability and aims to prevent additional controversies.
For the semi-finals, FIFA will deploy a lead VAR official and a backup VAR official at each match venue. Prior to the quarterfinal round, where they tested this arrangement at select matches, VAR officials had been working from a centralized hub at the International Broadcast Center in Dallas, irrespective of the match location.
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This adjustment represents a significant change in how the World Cup's review system functions. Yet prominent controversies have put refereeing standards and those overseeing the remaining crucial matches under intense examination.
VAR officials will be inside the stadium for the World Cup semifinals and final (Image: Getty Images)
The newly-positioned on-site officials will act as a backup should any communication or technical problems occur. If contact with the Dallas hub is lost, officials at the stadium will be capable of examining incidents and directing the referee to conduct reviews without interrupting play.
"There's a lot of drama that unfolds in these games. And look, when you are asking only four officials to manage what's going on on the field, it's very difficult on a field that's much bigger than an American football field," said Dan Hunt, Owner of FC Dallas and FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee member.
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"I'm glad that there's gonna be on-site. I don't know what that communication's gonna look like."
The change applies to the remaining games (Image: Getty Images)
Ivan Barton will officiate the match between Spain and France. Barton will be supported by David Moran of El Salvador and Nicaragua's Antonio Pupiro, who have served alongside him in each of his prior three matches at this World Cup and regularly work with him on his officiating crew in CONCACAF and FIFA tournaments.
Poland's Tomasz Kwiatkowski will serve as the primary VAR official. He is a seasoned specialist video referee and oversaw the VAR team for the 2022 World Cup final between France and Argentina.
He will be joined by Dutch official Dennis Higler and Mexico's Guillermo Pacheco.
Barton has attracted attention this World Cup; he became the first referee to show a red card for mouth-covering to Paraguay's Miguel Almiron last month.
Paraguay maintained their 1-0 victory over Turkiye despite competing with 10 men for the entire second half, and Almiron subsequently apologized to his teammates for the error.
France faces Spain in the World Cup semi-final in Dallas on Tuesday, July 14.
Source: “AOL Sports”
