DOHA – The FIFA Video Assistant Referee (VAR) Seminar commenced on Sunday morning at the Intercontinental Hotel in Doha. This three-day event has brought together 20 referees from across Asia and Africa, including Qatar’s own Khamis Al-Marri, to enhance their expertise in VAR protocols. As part of a series of FIFA-hosted events in Qatar, the seminar aims to prepare officials for upcoming international tournaments. Hani Taleb Ballan, Vice-Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, attended the opening day, while Pierluigi Collina, Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, joined virtually via Zoom to deliver an inspiring speech to participants. In his remarks, Ballan underscored the significance of Doha’s hosting of this seminar, stating: "Doha’s hosting of the VAR Seminar reflects FIFA’s trust in Qatar’s ability to successfully prepare referees for major upcoming tournaments such as the 2025 Club World Cup, the 2026 World Cup, and the 2027 Women’s World Cup. These seminars provide invaluable opportunities for referees to refine their skills in preparation for these critical events." Ballan also highlighted plans to host additional workshops, including a dedicated seminar for female referees in March, ahead of the 2027 Women’s World Cup. The ongoing seminar features a blend of theoretical and practical training sessions aimed at mirroring real-life scenarios. Participants will engage in decision-making exercises and discussion groups to standardize interpretations of game incidents, enhancing consistency in VAR-related decisions. Key topics on the agenda include offside calls, handball infractions, penalty area incidents, player management, and misconduct. Ballan emphasized the importance of continuous referee development to ensure fair and accurate decisions in high-pressure situations. He concluded by acknowledging the experienced group of referees in attendance, who have all officiated at international levels, and stressed that their development is critical to achieving FIFA's goal of fair play through VAR technology.