FIFA Tests ‘Challenge Card’ System As Morocco Coach Makes History At U-20 World Cup
2 min read
By Sedara Philip
Football may be on the brink of another major technological evolution as FIFA continues to experiment with the newly introduced “challenge card” system a tool that allows coaches to request a VAR review during matches.
In Wednesday’s U-20 World Cup semifinal, Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi became one of the first managers to test the feature, using his challenge card to contest a referee’s decision.
The innovative move caught the attention of fans and analysts worldwide, marking a potential shift in how officiating decisions are managed on the field.
The system, currently on trial at the U-20 World Cup, is being evaluated for possible permanent inclusion in global football competitions. FIFA hopes the “coach’s challenge” will increase fairness, transparency, and accountability in refereeing decisions — giving teams more agency in critical moments.
Each team is allocated one challenge card per half.
If a coach’s challenge is successful (i.e., the referee overturns or modifies a decision after review), the team retains its card.
If the challenge fails, the team forfeits the card for the remainder of that half.
Coaches must initiate the challenge within seconds of the incident, ensuring minimal disruption to the game’s flow.
While opinions remain divided, many see this as a progressive step in aligning football officiating with systems already used successfully in other sports, such as tennis and cricket.
If the experiment proves successful, the “challenge card” could be a game-changer in modern football empowering coaches, improving fairness, and reducing post-match controversies.
Sedara Philip is a Sports writer, an administrator,Journalist,and editor
