Thursday night’s World Cup knockout‑round match between Croatia and Portugal highlighted the extreme precision of FIFA’s VAR system, for better or worse. Its operation makes it difficult to understand why the NFL has not yet adopted a similar approach.
Indeed, the NFL already uses technology to assess whether a team has reached the line to gain, though it is employed far less often than the traditional, no‑technology “sticks‑and‑chain” method — and maybe an index card — approach. Nevertheless, the exact spot of the ball remains decided by the official’s visual judgment.
Reports indicate that the NFL is working on a solution, and it must be implemented promptly.
Typically, the NFL adopts incremental changes, adding new replay provisions only after a situation arises that cannot be reviewed without replay, prompting the league to amend its rules accordingly.
Beyond the impact on coaches’ careers, precise rulings are essential for the integrity of betting markets.
It is frustrating when goals are disallowed by an offside VAR call, yet the rules must be followed; if technology can ensure accurate outcomes in soccer, it should be applied in football as well.
If nothing else, the successful performance of VAR in the World Cup should spur the NFL to accelerate its adoption of the ball‑tracking technology.
