# How has the use of VAR impacted FIFA World Cup 2026?

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/in-focus-by-the-hindu-421346/how-has-the-use-of-var-impacted-fifa-world-cup-2026
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/in-focus-by-the-hindu-421346/how-has-the-use-of-var-impacted-fifa-world-cup-2026.md
Podcast: [In Focus by The Hindu](https://stenobird.com/podcast/in-focus-by-the-hindu-421346)
Published: 2026-07-17T14:26:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/traffic.megaphone.fm/THGU8108936068.mp3
Audio file: https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/traffic.megaphone.fm/THGU8108936068.mp3
Processing state: not_requested
JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/in-focus-by-the-hindu-421346/episodes/how-has-the-use-of-var-impacted-fifa-world-cup-2026
Duration seconds: 1710

## Resource

In 2016, The International Football Association Board (IFAB), which oversees the laws of the game, approved trials for video referees. This edition marks the third time that VAR has been used in World Cups starting with the 2018 World Cup in Russia. This World Cup has also seen numerous instances where lovers of the game have been up in arms regarding the interventions of VAR. Nevertheless, the Round of 16 match between Portugal and Croatia may be one of the best advocates for the usage of VAR in football. The decision to disallow Gvardiol's equaliser would have been impossible with the naked eye. In this episode of In Focus, we take a look at how the usage of VAR has impacted football and the reasons why everyone on and off the pitch have divided opinions regarding its use. The conversation also explores the various technologies that have been implemented in the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup and as well as the controversies surrounding the same. Guest: Anirudh Velamuri, Principal Correspondent, The Hindu Host: Rohan Pillay A. Producer: Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

## Actions

- request_transcript: `POST https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/in-focus-by-the-hindu-421346/episodes/how-has-the-use-of-var-impacted-fifa-world-cup-2026/transcription-requests` — Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode.
- read_markdown: `GET https://stenobird.com/podcast/in-focus-by-the-hindu-421346/how-has-the-use-of-var-impacted-fifa-world-cup-2026.md` — Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource.

A page view does not enqueue transcription. Agents should invoke `request_transcript` explicitly when they need this episode processed.

## Transcript

Full transcripts are not published on public pages unless there is a clear rights basis.