The Egyptian Football Association will not use Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in any of the Egypt Cup round of 32 matches, with the decision linked to plans to give emerging referees opportunities to officiate during the early stages of the competition.
The matches are scheduled to take place from 4 to 10 November, and the association has informed participating clubs of the regulations governing the fixtures, including the decision to proceed without video assistance for referees.
A source familiar with the arrangements told WinWin that the referees committee’s selection policy is the main reason for the absence of VAR throughout the round. The committee intends to appoint a number of promising referees, some of whom do not hold the required licences to oversee matches using the technology.
The decision also avoids a situation in which some matches in the same round are played with VAR while others are conducted without it.
Why VAR will not be used in the round of 32
The absence of VAR from the Egypt Cup’s opening knockout round follows an approach used in previous editions of the tournament.
According to sources, round of 32 matches have traditionally been played without the technology because the referees committee uses the stage to give opportunities to developing top-flight officials. Some of those referees are not qualified to operate VAR, making its use across all fixtures difficult under the current arrangements.
The committee has therefore opted for a consistent approach, ensuring that every match in the round is officiated without video assistance rather than applying different standards to individual fixtures.
The arrangement forms part of the association’s refereeing plans for the early stages of the competition, with VAR expected to return when the tournament reaches the next knockout round.
When will VAR return to the Egypt Cup?
Sources indicate that VAR is scheduled to be introduced from the round of 16, following the same pattern adopted in previous seasons.
This means that the technology will remain unavailable throughout the round of 32, before being brought back for the subsequent stage of the competition.
The Egyptian Football Association has communicated the regulations to participating clubs as part of its preparations for the fixtures, which will be played between 4 and 10 November.
The decision means referees will have to make their decisions on the pitch without the support of video reviews during the opening knockout round. VAR is expected to become part of the officiating arrangements once the competition reaches the last 16.
Egypt Cup round of 32: Rules on fan attendance
The association has also outlined conditions governing supporters’ attendance at the round of 32 matches.
Fans will be permitted to attend matches under the announced arrangements, with an exception for fixtures scheduled to take place at Petrosport Stadium.
According to the regulations sent to the participating clubs, attendance at Petrosport Stadium will be restricted to officials representing the two teams involved in each match.
Each club will be allowed a maximum of 50 representatives, meaning that the general public will not be admitted to those fixtures under the stated conditions.
The attendance restrictions and the decision to exclude VAR form part of the organisational measures established for the round of 32, alongside the refereeing appointments.
With the fixtures scheduled for 4-10 November, the Egypt Cup will begin its knockout phase under rules that prioritise opportunities for emerging referees while maintaining consistent officiating arrangements across the round. VAR is expected to return from the round of 16, in line with the system used in previous editions of the tournament.
