In another historic first, Australia 2026, which will take place from March 1 to 21 across the host cities of Perth, Gold Coast, and Sydney, will also be the first edition to implement VAR from the group stage, marking another milestone in the Confederation’s continuous efforts to uphold the highest officiating standards.

 

Taking place in Bangkok, Thailand, the five-day seminar was designed to prepare participants in honing their technical knowledge, physical fitness and match-management competencies ahead of the Continental contest.

 

On the inaugural day, following a brief introduction from the technical instructors, the officials engaged in an in-depth study of challenges and penalty area incidents through video analyses, case studies, and interactive dialogues, while in the subsequent days, the focus was on intricate topics such as offsides and handball.

The spotlight was also on tactical fouls, which emphasised the importance of being able to anticipate and recognise offences designed to disrupt promising attacks.

Moreover, the candidates also received valuable insights into game management, including the best practices in maintaining optimal angles and managing mental resilience, in order to be able to execute their duties in accordance with global standards.

Additionally, the classroom learnings were complemented by rigorous practical sessions, including VAR training in order to fine tune the match officials’ consistency in the line of intervention. A wide range of physical tests and training sessions were also conducted, with referees evaluated on their agility and repeated sprint ability, in preparation for the Continental showpiece in March 2026.