Women's World Cup 2023: Enhanced Transparency - Real-time VAR Explained by FIFA

How will VAR work at the tournament?

FIFA Confirms VAR for All 2023 Women's World Cup Matches

Pierluigi Collina was speaking at a press conference from Stadium Australia before the 2023 World Cup, which starts on Thursday

FIFA has officially announced that Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology will be deployed in all 64 matches of the 2023 Women's World Cup. This decision comes after VAR was incorporated into the laws of the game in 2018 and successfully used at the 2018 men's World Cup in Russia.

While VAR has proven to be a valuable tool for ensuring fair play and accurate decisions, it has not been without controversy. During the 2019 Women's World Cup, a round of 16 match between Cameroon and England saw protests against VAR officials due to two contentious decisions that favored England.

Despite such incidents, VAR has continued to be utilized in various FIFA and continental tournaments, and its implementation will also be part of the 2022 World Cup.

The VAR Process Demystified

• Specific scenarios trigger VAR review, such as mistaken identity, potential red cards, potential fouls in the penalty area, and goals scored.
• A team of three officials handles each incident: the VAR, the assistant VAR, and the fourth official.
• Replays are accessible on stadium screens and broadcasted on TV for viewers.
• The on-field referee communicates the final decision to both stadium attendees and TV viewers.
• The referee's announcement may include the final decision, the reason behind it, the player involved in the offense, and sometimes additional descriptions of the incident.
• For instance, the referee might state, "A penalty kick has been awarded because player number two made contact with player number nine in the box."

Will VAR Communication Be Transparent at Women's World Cup?

Video review has been adopted in various sports like rugby union and cricket for several years now. In these sports, spectators both at the stadium and at home can listen to real-time decisions made by video assistants and the rationale behind them. However, football has not yet implemented this level of transparency, leading to frustration among fans who are left in the dark during VAR checks and unsure about the reasoning behind certain decisions.

Nevertheless, there is a potential change on the horizon. According to Forbes, on-pitch live communication might be introduced at the Women's World Cup, allowing fans to gain insights into the decision-making process within the VAR booth. If implemented, this would mark the first time such transparency is provided at a major tournament.

Pierluigi Collina, Chairman of FIFA's Referees Committee, explained that the trial aims to respond to requests for more clarity on the decisions taken by referees following VAR interventions. By making the process more understandable to football stakeholders, including spectators at the stadium and viewers at home, the sport seeks to enhance the overall fan experience.

At the upcoming World Cup in New Zealand and Australia, match officials will address this demand by consulting a side-pitch screen to make decisions. They will then convey the verdict, the rationale behind it, the players involved, and a concise description of the incident through the PA system, using a microphone on their shirt.

Pierluigi Collina, the Chairman of FIFA's Referees Committee, acknowledged that this approach may come with challenges, as English might not be the native language for some referees, adding additional pressure. Nevertheless, FIFA aims to assess the outcomes and determine the best course for future implementation.

Furthermore, referees at the World Cup have been instructed to take a stricter stance on time-wasting. This comprehensive approach aims to enhance fairness and efficiency during the tournament.

2023 Women's World Cup: VAR Officials Revealed

The upcoming 2023 Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand will feature a total of 19 video assistant referees (VARs).

In a significant milestone, six of these VARs will be female, marking the first time in the history of the Women's World Cup that such representation has been achieved.