FIFA and soccer’s lawmakers have moved quickly to introduce a new VAR application for the 2026 World Cup, and it is now officially part of the game.

The change targets a tactic borrowed from basketball: setting picks or screens to block defenders during corners and attacking free kicks. Players will no longer be allowed to impede or deliberately prevent opponents from defending a play. The classic basketball action in which one player creates space for a teammate by blocking a defender’s path is now firmly in the spotlight.

VAR can intervene before the ball is in play

The change goes even further. VAR will be allowed to intervene if the blocking action takes place before the shot and even before the ball is put into play.

If a defender is prevented from having any realistic chance to defend the play because of an infringement before the restart is taken, any resulting goal can be disallowed. It does not matter whether the ball was technically in play at the time of the offense.

The move creates a seventh VAR category. The original four reviewable situations were goals, penalty decisions, direct red cards and mistaken identity. At FIFA’s most recent council meeting, two additional categories were approved: second yellow cards that lead to a dismissal and corner-kick decisions. The new anti-blocking rule now joins that list.

New VAR reviews coming worldwide

The changes will be in effect at the World Cup and will also be implemented in competitions around the world starting July 1.

VAR officials will now be able to review second yellow cards that result in a red card and overturn them if a clear and obvious error has been made.

Corner kicks will also become reviewable in certain circumstances. If a quick VAR check identifies a clear mistake before the corner is taken, the decision can be reversed during the brief window between the referee’s whistle and players getting into position for the restart.

Arsenal and set-piece specialists could be affected

The new anti-blocking rule may have significant consequences for teams that rely heavily on elaborate set-piece routines.

Arsenal, whose corner-kick strategies have attracted widespread attention in the Premier League, is one example of a team that may need to exercise extra caution under the updated interpretation.

FIFA’s objective is clear: prevent corners and free kicks from becoming situations where players can gain an unfair advantage through physical obstruction. The governing body wants tighter control over set pieces and has empowered VAR to police them more aggressively than ever before.

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that of this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.