FIFA Introduces New ‘Green Card’ VAR Technology for U-20 World Cup

FIFA will launch a new video review system at the U-20 World Cup in Chile, from September 27 to October 19, to enhance fairness and accessibility in the game.

This system, known as Football Video Support (FVS), aims to speed up play and reduce costs, making video technology available for nations that cannot afford traditional VAR.

FVS will also need fewer staff than traditional VAR and will change officiating by allowing coaches to control when reviews occur. Unlike VAR, which is initiated by referees, coaches will now be able to ask for reviews of specific plays.

Teams will have two challenges per match to dispute decisions on goals, penalties, straight red cards, or mistaken identity. Coaches can request a review by showing a green card to the referee.

Green card already tested

The green card method has been tested in youth tournaments like the Blue Stars Youth Cup and the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia. Its aim is to shorten delays related to VAR and reduce the workload of referees, as noted by Pierluigi Collina, chairman of FIFA’s Referees Committee.

“It’s vital for referees to gain experience in tournaments with the stars of the future, and for us to keep testing the FVS, which has so far proven successful,” said the former Italian referee.

Similarities with other sports

The green card system in soccer is similar to field hockey, where teams can request video reviews with a limited number of challenges.

However, the rules differ: in field hockey, each side gets one challenge, which they keep if the call is overturned. In soccer, with FIFA’s system, each team will have two challenges per match, whether successful or not.

Gianni Taina is a bilingual journalist, fluent in English and Spanish, specializing in soccer, the NBA, and tennis. He started his career in 2020 with Mundo Deportivo US, where he established himself as a writer. He has covered major events like the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the NBA Finals, and Grand Slam tournaments, showing strong reporting skills under pressure. In 2024, he joined Bolavip US, covering various sports including European soccer, MLS, and the NBA.