New for World Cup 2026·Law 5 & VAR Protocol·From 1 July 2026

VAR Can Now Review Wrong Second Yellow Cards

VAR can now intervene if a referee shows a clearly incorrect second yellow card that results in a red card — a category that was previously off-limits for VAR review.

Previous rule

VAR could not review second yellow cards. Only direct red cards were reviewable.

New rule

VAR can review a clearly incorrect second yellow card that results in a red card. The standard is still clear and obvious error.

What changed

Previously VAR could only review direct red cards, not cards that resulted from two yellows. This meant a clearly wrong second yellow leading to a sending-off could not be corrected. Now if a second yellow card is clearly incorrect, VAR can flag it and the referee can overturn the red card.

Why it matters for the World Cup

This closes a significant loophole. At major tournaments, incorrect second yellows have affected matches without any recourse. Now VAR provides a safety net for the most obvious errors.

Scenarios

Player booked for wrong foul twice

A player receives a second yellow card but VAR shows the foul was actually committed by a teammate.

Correct call: VAR flags mistaken identity. Referee overturns the red card and books the correct player.

Common mistake: Assuming VAR cannot intervene because it involved yellow cards. Mistaken identity is now reviewable for both yellow and red cards.

Verdict: foul

Second yellow for simulation that was actually a foul

A player receives a second yellow for simulation but replays clearly show he was fouled.

Correct call: VAR flags the clear and obvious error. Referee overturns the second yellow and red card.

Common mistake: Accepting the decision because it was a yellow card situation. The new rule specifically covers clearly incorrect second yellows.

Verdict: no-foul