SAFF to deploy remote VAR for Tecno SAFF Championship 2026 semi-finals and final in Dhaka
The South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) will introduce the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system for the first time during the semi-finals and final of the Tecno SAFF Championship 2026 at the National Stadium in Dhaka, using a remote VAR model that transmits live match footage to a central hub in Thailand.
The move was enabled through collaboration between the SAFF and the ASEAN Football Federation and is intended to align the tournament with modern international refereeing standards. Quality, a FIFA-certified technology provider based in Spain with central operations in Thailand, has been appointed to operate the VAR system. To support on-site operations, organisers have installed a Referee Review Area (RRA) and a Technical Operations Team Area Monitor (TOTAM) at the National Stadium, and technical experts from Quality are present to manage transmission and system operation.
Under the remote VAR arrangement, live match footage from the National Stadium in Dhaka will be transmitted to a centralized VAR operations hub in Thailand. Certified Video Match Officials at that hub will review incidents and assist the on-field referees in accordance with the IFAB VAR Protocol. Decisions and recommendations from the VAR team will be communicated directly to the match officials in Dhaka.
All referees and assistant referees selected for the semi-finals and final have been certified and trained in VAR procedures to ensure the technology is applied consistently and in line with international standards. Technical staff from Quality will continue to monitor connectivity and signal integrity throughout the matches to facilitate real-time reviews.
SAFF General Secretary Purushottam Kattel commented on the introduction, saying: "The introduction of VAR is a groundbreaking moment for South Asian football and an important step towards raising the professional standards of our competitions. We are extremely grateful to the Asian Football Confederation and the ASEAN Football Federation for their invaluable support in helping us introduce this technology to the region."
He added: "VAR has become an integral part of modern football, providing greater accuracy in key match decisions and reinforcing the principles of fairness, transparency, and sporting integrity. We believe this milestone will not only enhance the quality of the Tecno SAFF Championship 2026 but also pave the way for the broader adoption of advanced football technologies across South Asia."
SAFF described the VAR implementation at the Tecno SAFF Championship 2026 as a major advancement in the region’s football landscape and said it reflects the organisation’s commitment to adopting global best practices and delivering a world-class competition experience for players, officials, and fans. The VAR system will be operational for the semi-finals and final of the Tecno SAFF Championship 2026.