2026 World Cup adds new VAR duties and red card offences

The 2026 World Cup will be the biggest, longest and most expensive edition of the tournament. It will also be the most intricately refereed, introducing a suite of rule changes.

New responsibilities will be assigned to video assistant referees. The changes apply to the hosts United States, Canada and Mexico.

Additional red‑card offences will be defined, allowing referees to issue direct dismissals for a broader range of infractions. The expanded offences aim to curb serious misconduct.

Several initiatives target faster gameplay, including measures to reduce stoppages. The rule tweaks are intended to keep the match tempo high.

Organisers expect the combined reforms to enhance the tournament’s flow across the three host nations. The adjustments reflect a push for a more dynamic World Cup experience.