The IFAB, which oversees the laws of the game, is set to reform football rules once again. It may consider expanding VAR's scope of application ahead of next year's World Cup to include corner decisions and second yellow cards.
Additionally, it may be asked to study a radical reform of penalties, stipulating that if the goalkeeper makes a save, the ball will be deemed a "dead ball", with any subsequent actions being invalid.
Discussions on revising Video Assistant Referee (VAR) rules have covered top-level competitions but require approval at IFAB's annual meeting next March. Any rule changes will take effect on June 1st to coincide with the 2026 men's World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
VAR would be able to intervene in fact-based decisions. For example, if a corner was incorrectly awarded because the ball last touched an attacking player rather than a defending one, VAR would have the authority to overturn the wrong call, which has received considerable support.
Allowing VAR to intervene in rulings on second yellow cards is considered more controversial, as such decisions are often subjective, and IFAB has historically been reluctant to expand VAR's powers to cover yellow card judgments.
However, proponents of this reform argue that since a red card resulting from a second yellow typically impacts the outcome of a match, VAR should also have the authority to step in.
IFAB board members want to ensure that expanding VAR's powers does not lead to increased match delays, and any new rulings must be made by the video referee within seconds.
The idea of revising penalty rules may be more radical, as it would mean that if the goalkeeper saves a penalty, the taker or their teammates would have no further chance.
It is understood that discussions have also been held on this issue. Supporters argue that the team awarded the penalty already has a sufficient advantage, and this change would also avoid problems with other players entering the penalty area before the kick is taken.
