Former India football captain Bhaichung Bhutia has endorsed the continued use of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system in football, while calling for a shift in how offside decisions are interpreted — arguing that a player's feet, not other body parts, should be the primary reference point. His remarks follow one of the most contested moments of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32.

The Incident That Sparked the Debate

The controversy centred on Croatia's dramatic late equaliser against Portugal, which was disallowed after a VAR review in the 103rd minute. Josko Gvardiol had tapped the ball home after Mario Pasalic squared it across the goal, but VAR determined that Croatian forward Igor Matanovic had made a slight touch on the ball before it reached Pasalic — rendering the goal offside.

FIFA later confirmed the touch was detected using Connected Ball Technology and IMU sensors embedded inside the official Trionda match ball. The decision proved decisive: Portugal held on for a 2-1 victory, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring an equaliser and Goncalo Ramos netting the late winner.

What Bhutia Said About VAR

Speaking as part of the expert panel for ZEE5's FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage, Bhutia maintained that VAR remains indispensable despite recurring controversies. 'I think VAR has to stay because there will be more controversy without VAR. VAR as well, there are controversies, but lesser ones. So I think VAR has to stay, and I think it's good for the game,' he said.

However, the former striker argued that the current technical interpretation of offside has grown overly complex. 'I think offside law in VAR, we should try to see the feet of the player where it is positioned rather than the body,' he added — a view that resonates with a growing section of football fans and analysts who feel marginal body-part calls undermine the spirit of the game.

Technology at the Centre of World Cup Officiating

The FIFA World Cup 2026 has deployed semi-automated offside technology and connected ball data extensively to assist match officials. Supporters of the system argue it delivers unprecedented accuracy; critics contend that marginal calls — particularly those involving non-playing body parts — continue to generate as much debate as the incidents they are meant to resolve. The Croatia-Portugal episode is the latest in a series of such moments at this tournament.

Bhutia Welcomes Hydration Breaks

Beyond VAR, Bhutia also praised the introduction of hydration breaks at the World Cup, describing them as a welcome relief for players competing in demanding weather conditions. 'I think it's a very welcome move. Especially for India, in an Indian climate, a hydration break is very important,' he said.

He acknowledged that European leagues may not require such breaks given their weather, but stressed that conditions in other parts of the world make them necessary. 'There are other parts of the world where the weather also plays a big role. So I think that's a welcome move,' Bhutia added.

As the FIFA World Cup 2026 progresses beyond the Round of 32, debates around VAR, semi-automated offside, and connected ball technology are likely to intensify — with each marginal decision adding fresh fuel to the conversation about how the laws of the game should evolve.