The Tunisian Football Federation (FTF) has confirmed that Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology will not be in use at the start of the 2025–26 Ligue 1 season, with its introduction now scheduled for the fifth round of fixtures in September.
In a statement released today, the FTF explained that both legal and logistical challenges had delayed the implementation of the system.
As a result, the opening rounds of the domestic top flight will proceed without VAR in place.
According to the governing body, the necessary equipment is expected to be fully installed and operational in all Ligue 1 stadiums in time for matches scheduled on 11, 12 and 13 September.
From that point, referees will be able to consult the technology to assist with decisions on goals, penalties, direct red cards and cases of mistaken identity.
The FTF’s announcement ends weeks of speculation among clubs, players and supporters about whether the technology would be ready for the season opener.
While the federation stressed its commitment to bringing the system online as soon as possible, it acknowledged that the delays were unavoidable due to the complexity of meeting both legal requirements and the technical standards demanded by international football authorities.
The introduction of VAR to Tunisian football has been a long-anticipated step, aimed at improving officiating accuracy and reducing controversy over critical match decisions.
However, its partial rollout means the early weeks of the campaign will be played under traditional refereeing conditions, potentially reigniting debates over contentious calls until the system is in place.
Once launched, Tunisian Ligue 1 will join a growing list of African domestic leagues making use of VAR, following in the footsteps of competitions in Morocco, Egypt and South Africa.
The FTF has emphasised that officials are undergoing specialised training to ensure the technology is used effectively and consistently across all matches.
The fifth-round fixtures in September will therefore mark a significant milestone for Tunisian football, with VAR expected to bring a new level of scrutiny and fairness to the league.
Until then, teams and supporters will need to rely solely on the judgement of the on-field referees as the new season gets underway.
