To overturn something means that a referee changes or reverses an earlier decision, usually after reviewing the incident againwith VAR.
What does it mean?
Since the introduction of VAR (Video Assistant Referee), referees are sometimes asked to review their own decisions on a pitch-side monitor. When they change their original decision after this review, we say the decision was ‘overturned‘. Overturn means to cancel a decision.
Examples
- The decision to effectively overturn the red card shown to United States’ star forward Folarin Balogun leaves many unanswered questions (BBC.co.uk, June 2026)
- The referee overturned the goal after a VAR review showed a foul in the build-up.
- The penalty decision was overturned after Clément Turpin reviewed the incident pitch-side.
- VAR intervened and the yellow card was overturned to a red.
Similar Words/Phrases
- To reverse a decision
- To change a decision
- To review (via VAR)
Learn More
- Read more about the word ‘overturn‘ here
- Listen to our podcast about Day 31 of the 2026 World Cup, in which we discuss VAR decisions in the England v Norway and Argentina v Switzerland quarter-finals
- Listen to another podcast that discusses this phrase here
Categories: 2026 World Cup Phrases
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