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The decision to integrate the technology covers both semifinal fixtures—featuring defending champions India against Bhutan, and hosts Bangladesh versus Pakistan—as well as the tournament final scheduled for November 17 at the National Stadium. This move is part of a broader effort by the South Asian Football Federation to align the tournament with international refereeing standards and enhance the overall quality of officiating.
Remote VAR implementation and technical operations
The tournament will employ a remote VAR setup, a model previously utilized during ASEAN Championships. Live match footage will be transmitted from Dhaka to a centralized operations hub located in Thailand. Certified Video Match Officials stationed at this hub will review key incidents and communicate their findings to the referees on the pitch, adhering strictly to the IFAB VAR Protocol.
SAFF general secretary Purushottam Kattel confirmed that the federation has partnered with the ASEAN Football Federation to facilitate the rollout. The system is being managed by the Spain-based, FIFA-certified technology provider, Quality. To support the operation, a Referee Review Area and a Technical Operations Team Area Monitor have been installed at the stadium in Dhaka. Kattel noted that the implementation carries a cost of approximately USD 800-900 per match, with technical experts from the provider on-site to ensure the infrastructure remains functional.
Tournament context and preparation
A critical component of the remote setup is a stable, high-speed internet connection to maintain seamless communication between the Thai operations hub and the venue in Dhaka. All match officials appointed for the final stages have undergone specific training and certification to operate within the VAR framework. While VAR has not yet been introduced in India’s domestic league structure, the country has previously hosted the technology during the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup and the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The semifinalists head into these high-stakes matches following distinct paths through the group stage. India secured their spot by topping Group B with victories over Pakistan and the Maldives. Meanwhile, Bhutan advanced from Group A on goal difference, and Bangladesh reached the final four after winning both of their group-stage encounters. The introduction of VAR is expected to provide an added layer of scrutiny as these teams compete for a place in the final.
