AHFC Royals 5:2 San Antonio FC 2 
O'Higgins 1:1 Union Espanola 
West Seattle Junction 1:2 Ballard 
Austin II 2:1 Sporting KC II 
New Zealand 1:3 Egypt 
Albion Colorado 1:1 Colorado ISA 
Tacoma Defiance 1:0 Real Monarchs 
AMSG 2:4 City SC 
Suhul Shire 0:0 Kedus Giorgis 
Hunters 9:0 Khoromkhon 
Melbourne Victory II 4:1 Brunswick City 
Khovd Western 3:0 Khovd 
Tulevik 2:2 Luunja 
Fasil Ketema 2:0 Arba Minch Kenema 
Welayta Dicha 1:2 Mebrat Hayl 
Thimphu 0:0 Tsirang 
Gareji 1:2 Odishi 1919 
Merani Martvili 0:2 Gori 
AIK Stockholm 0:2 Kalmar FF 
Kolkheti Poti 0:0 Shturmi 
Legion 1:4 Parnu JK Vaprus U21 
Torpedo Moskva 1:0 Volga Ulyanovsk 
Alay 0:2 OshMU Aldier 
Asiagoal 0:1 Bishkek City 
Asia Talas 0:4 Muras United 
Aalesund II 2:5 Ranheim II 
Odd II 2:1 Flekkerøy 
Dila 3:0 Rustavi 
Rīgas FS 4:0 Ogre United 
Welwalo Adigrat Uni 0:1 Hadiya Hosaena 
The numbers don’t lie. At the 2026 World Cup, referees have stopped play for VAR checks more often than they do in a typical Premier League season. But if you ask fans, many think VAR is used less at the World Cup. How can the stats say one thing and our eyes say another?
Let’s break down the facts and find out why the World Cup’s video assistant referee system feels different—even though it’s busier.
More Reviews, But Fewer Delays
One big reason for the gap is that World Cup reviews happen faster. Referees use a streamlined process that keeps the game moving. In the Premier League, VAR checks can take much longer, which makes them feel more intrusive.
- World Cup: Average review time is under 30 seconds.
- Premier League: Average review time is over a minute.
Why Fans Think VAR Is Used Less
Another factor is when the reviews happen. At the World Cup, many checks happen during natural stoppages—like after a goal or a foul. In the Premier League, VAR sometimes stops play suddenly, which feels more jarring to fans.
- World Cup: Most reviews are for offside or clear errors.
- Premier League: Reviews often include subjective decisions like handball or red cards.
The Role of Tournament Pressure
World Cup matches have higher stakes—one mistake can end a team’s dream. Referees are more careful and use VAR for borderline calls. That raises the total number of reviews. But because the checks are quick and predictable, fans don’t notice them as much.
In the Premier League, weekly league games have less drama per match, but the slow reviews make every pause feel bigger.
What This Means for the Future of VAR
The World Cup shows that VAR can work without ruining the flow of the game. If the Premier League wants to change how fans see VAR, it could copy some of the tournament’s fast-review methods. Fewer delays and clearer rules might help everyone—players, coaches, and fans—accept video help as a normal part of soccer.
For now, the stats are clear: more reviews don’t always mean more frustration. It’s how you use them that counts.