VAR, a simplified alternative to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), will be used on a trial basis during the competition as FIFA continues to advance the use of technology to assist referees. The introduction of VAR at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup™ follows a successful first trial at the Blue Stars/FIFA Youth Cup™ in Zurich, Switzerland in May.

“Video assistance in football is a response to the need to provide football with more cost-effective technology and underlines FIFA’s commitment to be a pioneer in the use of technology for the benefit of referees,” said Pierluigi Collina, Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee.

“FVS can review the same incidents as VAR, but the two systems are not comparable as they are designed to operate in completely different circumstances. The outcome of the Blue Stars/FIFA Youth Cup trial, which covered 36 matches and two pitches, was very positive and we are delighted to be able to continue testing this system in Colombia.”

Unlike the VAR system, which is already used in over 200 individual competitions by 65 member associations, the FVS does not use its own video referees and therefore does not automatically review all match-changing incidents. Instead, the responsibility lies with the two head coaches, who are allowed to make a limited number of review requests per match if they believe there has been a clear and obvious error in game-changing incidents such as goal/no goal, penalty/no penalty, direct red cards or mistaken identity.

To request a review, coaches must give a card to the fourth official immediately after the incident in question to avoid unnecessary delays and in accordance with the Laws of the Game, which do not allow a decision to be changed once play has resumed.

The Football Video Support Protocol for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Colombia 2024 is available Here.