Video ref to oversee final round of World Cup qualifiers

VAR will be utilized in all remaining World Cup Asian qualifiers, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) confirmed Thursday.

The technology can be used to review situations that lead to a goal, penalty, wrong call or red card. Only the referee will have the authority to call for a video review.

In a control room, four assistant referees will review footage and communicate their decision to the referee via an earpiece. On-field referees can themselves review the footage on a sideline screen.

AFC introduced VAR at Asian Cup 2019 (from the quarterfinals), the AFC Champions League 2020 and the AFC U23 Championship 2020.

VAR will also be used from the quarterfinals of AFC Champions League 2021 and the final of AFC Cup 2021.

The final round of World Cup Asian qualifiers will take place between Sept. 2, 2021 and March 29, 2022. Twelve teams in the final qualifying round will be divided into two groups of six, with the top two teams in each group qualifying directly for 2022 World Cup in Qatar, while the two third-placed teams enter the playoffs.

The draw for World Cup's final qualifying round will take place on July 1.