VAR to be used at European Qualifiers as of September 2021

UEFA announced that the video assistant referee (VAR) system will be used, with the agreement of FIFA, in all remaining European Qualifier matches for the FIFA World Cup 2022, following a decision taken by the UEFA Executive Committee in July 2021.

The system will be operational as of matchday 4 and includes all remaining matches taking place from September 2021.

The initial plans to start using VAR in UEFA national team qualification competitions were postponed due to the logistical complications and risks associated with the COVD-19 pandemic.

The VAR implementation, which is being organised by UEFA, will be carried out on site at the stadium of the host association, with the use of specific vans supplied by the UEFA VAR providers.

Malta hosts Cyprus on September 1 before two matches away from home against Slovenia on September 4 and Russia on September 7. In October, Malta hosts Slovenia on the 8th and then travel to Cyprus for a match scheduled on the 11th. The final two matches are at home against Croatia and Slovakia on November 11 and 14.