The FA Cup third and fourth rounds will proceed without Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology, a decision made by the Football Association. This means match officials will rely solely on their own judgment, without the aid of video replays. The absence of VAR aims for a consistent refereeing approach for all participating clubs, regardless of their league status.

This decision has drawn mixed reactions. Last season's third and fourth rounds saw several controversial calls due to the lack of VAR, leading to questions about fairness. However, some, like former Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given, prefer the more traditional approach, believing it keeps the focus on the on-field officials and the game's flow.

VAR will be implemented from the fifth round onward, including the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final. Semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) will only be used in matches hosted at Premier League stadiums due to infrastructure requirements. SAOT uses multiple cameras to track player movements, providing precise offside calls.

The absence of VAR in the early rounds emphasizes the financial and logistical challenges of deploying the technology at all venues. While goal-line technology will be available for matches at Premier League and Championship grounds, the FA's move ensures a level playing field, at least initially, for all teams involved in the competition.