Football’s governing body FIFA will decide on March 3 whether to officially endorse the video assistant referee, a move that could see the controversial technology used at the world cup.

Var, so far trialled in nearly 1,000 matches, reviews key moments linked to goals, penalty decisions, straight red card decisions and cases of mistaken identity.

Its merits have been vigorously debated by football fans and pundits across the world, with some criticising the introduction of technology for slowing down the game.

FIFA’s president Gianni Infantino raised the prospect of VAR being co-opted into the rules of the global game well in time for the world cup in Russia.

Infantino, who has previously endorsed the system, said he is “confident and positive” ahead of next month’s meeting.