FIFA boss Infantino confirms video referees for 2018 World Cup

Increased calls for the implementation of video assistant referees (VAR) have reached FIFA, with president Gianni Infantino confirming Wednesday the technology will be used at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

"We will use video refereeing because we've had nothing but positive feedback so far," Infantino said, courtesy of BBC Sport.

VAR technology will be used to review goals, mistaken identities, red cards, and penalties at the quadrennial event after first being enforced during a FIFA competition at December's Club World Cup in Japan.

It was also used to correct two decisions during an international friendly between Spain and France a month ago after a successful trial run during France's 3-1 victory over Italy last September.

By having a pitch-side official equipped with video replay to confirm referee decisions, hopes are the technology will help lessen the number of contentious game-changing rulings.

Thus far, VAR has proved to be a worthwhile endeavor, with Australia's A-League the first top-tier domestic division to opt for video assistance earlier this month. The English Football Association (FA) also said it may employ VAR for the FA Cup in January 2018, or the league cup first round.

Despite Infantino's proclamation, there are initial concerns that the FIFA chief lacks the authority to make the decision.

According to Richard Conway of BBC Sport, Infantino must first council the International Football Association Board (IFAB), which is the independent custodian of the laws of football.